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:
He said Thursday that he hoped the North would "join us now on the path of restoring trust and resuming dialogue, following a long interruption" -- a day after the military demanded an apology.
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
A friendly cold call could be viewed as yet another interruption, and a demanding one.
From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026
There is a sense of interruption throughout where the familiar is made slightly strange, and the unfinished is left intentionally exposed, giving the collections a setting that shifts with each new iteration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
One key change they proposed would largely restrict federal protections to bodies of water that remain year-round under normal conditions, aside from a 30-day interruption.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
“You certainly do,” she replied with a smile; “but it does not follow that the interruption must be unwelcome.”
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
Evolution is investigating having a battery at Mungari to offset any grid interruptions, but this could take 12-18 months to commission, it adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
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
They also urged authorities to allow weekly visits by Khan's family, as ordered by the court, "without interruptions or administrative delays".
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
Once she got started on a story, she did not acknowledge interruptions.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
