interruption
[in-tuh-ruhp-shuh n]
- an act or instance of interrupting.
- the state of being interrupted.
- something that interrupts.
- cessation; intermission.
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Origin of interruption
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for interruption
Contemporary Examples
The incident with Tony Kornheiser, a Pardon the Interruption talking head, serves to highlight the problem with ESPN.
One morning in the middle of this quiet ritual–reading and prayer–I felt a sense of interruption.
Spitzer rolled his eyes at the interruption, grumbling a perfunctory “very funny.”
I have published online with seldom more than a day or two of interruption continuously since October 2002.
But Obama, in command, feeling comfortable, laughed off the interruption, and dismissed the trouble.
Historical Examples
The wayfarers all gazed in the utmost astonishment at the interruption.
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
Meanwhile her mentor, Mr. Day, was delighted at the interruption of her task.
De Libris: Prose and VerseAustin Dobson
I think the others were as grateful as I for the interruption.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
We met with no interruption, however, reaching New York in due time.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
He turned round, not at all disconcerted by the interruption.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
interruption
- something that interrupts, such as a comment, question, or action
- an interval or intermission
- the act of interrupting or the state of being interrupted
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for interruption
n.
late 14c., "a break of continuity," from Old French interrupcion and directly from Latin interruptionem (nominative interruptio) "a breaking off, interruption, interval," noun of action from past participle stem of interrumpere (see interrupt). Meaning "a breaking in upon some action" is from c.1400; that of "a pause, a temporary cessation" is early 15c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper