interruption
Americannoun
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interruptions
plural
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an act or instance of interrupting.
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the state of being interrupted.
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something that interrupts.
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cessation; intermission.
noun
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something that interrupts, such as a comment, question, or action
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an interval or intermission
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the act of interrupting or the state of being interrupted
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of interruption
1350–1400; Middle English interrupcio ( u ) n < Latin interruptiōn- (stem of interruptiō ). See interrupt, -ion
Explanation
Like a loud noise cutting into a moment of quiet reflection, an interruption is when something temporarily stops or disrupts an activity, conversation, or process. The word interruption comes from the Latin prefix inter-, meaning "between, among," and the Latin root rupt, meaning "burst." So an interruption can be thought of as something that bursts into the middle of something that is ongoing. Some interruptions — like a sudden power outage — can be annoying, even jarring. But some interruptions may be welcome, like your friend bringing you a treat to give you a break in the middle of a long, grueling study session.
Vocabulary lists containing interruption
Make a Break for It: Rupt
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List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
But with the domestic season just starting to get interesting, fans tend to bemoan the interruption - no matter the length - and long for the return of club football.
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026
A friendly cold call could be viewed as yet another interruption, and a demanding one.
From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026
Microsoft on Monday published a “humanist” code of conduct to show its commitment to ensuring Microsoft’s models “will never resist human interruption, correction, or shutdown.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
In Yasser's saffron shop, the precious spice arrives by air from Mashhad, in northeastern Iran, thanks to the resumption of air links after a brief interruption.
From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026
Continuously implies without interruption, in an unbroken stream.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
Barabak: Becerra chides Hilton for his continued interruptions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
In the SynAIRgy trial, people who received AD109 experienced fewer interruptions in breathing, less oxygen deprivation, and better overall blood oxygen levels while they slept.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026
But the interruptions from air-raid alerts have been constant.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
"We can better focus on the lessons and lectures; there are no more interruptions due to calls," said Yousufzai.
From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026
Dilly Knox is known to be quite prickly about interruptions.
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
