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definitions

interruption

[in-tuh-ruhp-shuh n]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR interruption ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of interrupting.
the state of being interrupted.
something that interrupts.
cessation; intermission.

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RELATED WORDS

layoff, letup, intrusion, stoppage, hiatus, hitch, delay, disruption, pause, disturbance, breach, suspension, rupture, blackout, cutoff, abeyance, dissolution, obstruction, interim, check

Origin of interruption

1350–1400; Middle English interrupcio(u)n < Latin interruptiōn- (stem of interruptiō). See interrupt, -ion
Related formsre·in·ter·rup·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for interruption

Contemporary Examples of interruption

Historical Examples of interruption

  • The buzzer's insistent voice brought her to her feet, even while she frowned at the interruption.

    Personality Plus

    Edna Ferber

  • Henning felt that, for some reason or other, his cousin had made the interruption.

  • These interviews were the only interruption to the dulness of their garrison life.

  • She had been smiling at the officer, but on the interruption of the strangers' entrance she frowned with annoyance.

    A Soldier of the Legion

    C. N. Williamson

  • I had a sudden desire, awakened by Arten's interruption, to share the emotions called up by the surrounding scene.

British Dictionary definitions for interruption

interruption

noun

something that interrupts, such as a comment, question, or action
an interval or intermission
the act of interrupting or the state of being interrupted
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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper