interrupt
to cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of (a course, process, condition, etc.).
to break off or cause to cease, as in the middle of something: He interrupted his work to answer the bell.
to stop (a person) in the midst of doing or saying something, especially by an interjected remark: May I interrupt you to comment on your last remark?
to cause a break or discontinuance; interfere with action or speech, especially by interjecting a remark: Please don't interrupt.
Computers. a hardware signal that breaks the flow of program execution and transfers control to a predetermined storage location so that another procedure can be followed or a new operation carried out.
Origin of interrupt
1synonym study For interrupt
Other words for interrupt
Opposites for interrupt
Other words from interrupt
- in·ter·rupt·ed·ly, adverb
- in·ter·rupt·ed·ness, noun
- in·ter·rupt·i·ble, adjective
- in·ter·rup·tive, adjective
- non·in·ter·rupt·i·ble, adjective
- non·in·ter·rup·tive, adjective
- re·in·ter·rupt, verb
- self-in·ter·rupt·ing, adjective
- un·in·ter·rupt·i·ble, adjective
- un·in·ter·rupt·ing, adjective
- un·in·ter·rup·tive, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use interrupt in a sentence
A tragic death interrupts their annual ritual, but years later the remaining summer core come together.
The Summer’s Juiciest Beach Reads: Hillary’s New Memoir And More | Emily Shire | May 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST"I hope your reign," she says, "is long and peacef..." "Yes, yes," Joffrey interrupts, waving his hand to dismiss her.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Lion and the Rose’: Joffrey’s Demented, Shocking Royal Wedding | Andrew Romano | April 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCarrie is still insisting that Javadi stop Brody's execution when Javadi interrupts her.
‘Homeland’ Finale Shocker: A Death in the Family | Andrew Romano | December 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe scene begins chaotically, as Sondheim interrupts the recording and tells Dean Jones to try again.
Sondheim on Sondheim: American Musical Theater in Six Songs | Jimmy So | December 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTNewt Gingrich interrupts an interview to turn the conversation into a discussion of his favorite zoos.
‘Caucus,’ a Documentary of the GOP’s Crazy Days in Iowa | David Freedlander | November 9, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
No truly polite lady ever breaks in upon a conversation or interrupts another speaker.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyThe visit you pay only interrupts a domestic quarrel which awaits but your departure to break out afresh.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre | Jean de La Bruyre"Closed up the disturbed rooms," interrupts Constance, promptly.
The Diamond Coterie | Lawrence L. Lynch"Hadn't rope enough," interrupts that lady, at which they all laugh.
The Diamond Coterie | Lawrence L. Lynch"It's a day of strange things," he interrupts, kindly, seeing her agitation.
The Diamond Coterie | Lawrence L. Lynch
British Dictionary definitions for interrupt
/ (ˌɪntəˈrʌpt) /
to break the continuity of (an action, event, etc) or hinder (a person) by intrusion
(tr) to cease to perform (some action)
(tr) to obstruct (a view)
to prevent or disturb (a conversation, discussion, etc) by questions, interjections, or comment
the signal to initiate the stopping of the running of one computer program in order to run another, after which the running of the original program is usually continued
Origin of interrupt
1Derived forms of interrupt
- interruptible, adjective
- interruptive, adjective
- interruptively, adverb
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
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