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:
The show’s comedy thrives on failure, interruption and never actually getting to the “script.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
Secondly, they requested that the weekly visits by Khan's family reinstated by the court "be honoured without interruption or administrative delay".
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
Announcement No. 10 was not among them; it has run without interruption since February 2025 and has no end date.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026
Public health experts are warning the outbreak in Bangladesh is proof of the dangers of any interruption in vaccine coverage.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said Lupin, still pacing, and ignoring Harry’s interruption.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
"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
The addition of gas has eased power cuts, but the sector remains vulnerable to transmission failures and fuel supply interruptions.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026
Comprehensive policies typically include coverage for trip interruptions, trip cancellations, lost or delayed baggage, medical emergencies and emergency evacuations.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026
But after two years and many interruptions to her studies — namely performing gigs — she left to pursue a music full-time, but still led with uncertainty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026
He would sit with me at a white-topped table in the Muslim restaurant and answer guardedly any questions I asked between constant interruptions by calls from the New York press in the telephone booth.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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.
