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Synonyms

interruption

American  
[in-tuh-ruhp-shuhn] / ˌɪn təˈrʌp ʃən /

noun

  1. an act or instance of interrupting.

  2. the state of being interrupted. interrupted.

  3. something that interrupts.

  4. cessation; intermission.


interruption British  
/ ˌɪntəˈrʌpʃən /

noun

  1. something that interrupts, such as a comment, question, or action

  2. an interval or intermission

  3. 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

Other Word Forms

  • reinterruption noun

Etymology

Origin of interruption

1350–1400; Middle English interrupcio ( u ) n < Latin interruptiōn- (stem of interruptiō ). See interrupt, -ion

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.

The latest shutdown will prove far less disruptive, because unlike the six-week closure that began in October, the partial shutdown this week was too brief to cause serious interruptions to the government’s data-collection efforts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Although he had notes, he did not look down at them, speaking for about half an hour without interruption.

From BBC

“Keep your interruptions to a minimum,” he says.

From Literature

"For almost 96 hours straight - without interruption, without sleep, without even closing our eyes for a moment - we were operating. We were crying and operating. Nobody complained."

From BBC

A review published Monday found that of 82 CDC databases previously updated at least once a month, 38 had unexplained interruptions, with most of those pauses lasting six months or longer.

From Los Angeles Times