disconnect

1 of 2

verb

dis·​con·​nect ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt How to pronounce disconnect (audio)
disconnected; disconnecting; disconnects

transitive verb

1
: to sever the connection of or between
2
: dissociate sense 1
are disconnected from meaningful relationships

intransitive verb

1
: to terminate a connection
2
: to become detached or withdrawn
disconnects into dark moods
disconnection noun

disconnect

2 of 2

noun

: a lack of or a break in connection, consistency, or agreement
a huge disconnect … between the nation's capital and the rest of the countryR. J. Samuelson

Examples of disconnect in a Sentence

Verb The hose and faucet had been disconnected. Disconnect the old printer and connect the new one. The alarm system had been disconnected. Before starting, be sure to disconnect the power supply. Our landlord threatened to disconnect our electricity. We were talking on the phone but suddenly we got disconnected.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024 Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects and makes users feel detached and disconnected from their pain and environment, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Eric Levenson, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024 Advertisement Last month, Australia appeared to be the latest country to approve legislation that grants workers the right to disconnect. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024 Both public and private employers would be required to create a workplace policy that allows employees the right to disconnect. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024 Attempts to reach Pandya and the Rohan Group were unsuccessful; several phone numbers associated with the company seemed to be disconnected. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024 If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Mar. 2024 While the balloon was trying to land in a field, a gust of wind pushed it into a nearby power line, causing the basket to disconnect from the balloon and fall 20 to 30 feet to the ground, police said. Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2024 Black turnout had waned significantly since the highs of former President Barack Obama’s historic presidency, with low-propensity voters — those less likely to vote — and infrequent voters increasingly disillusioned by and disconnected to politics. Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024
Noun
The disconnect comes in part from the way students’ grades are calculated. Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024 The disconnect between immigrant populations can stretch even further due to political rhetoric and its media coverage. Mathew Miranda, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024 Today, in the midst of a significant resorting of the two major parties, with the potential for yet another disconnect between the popular vote winner and the electoral college, the 2024 rematch, like other rematches in history, may well mark the end of an era in U.S. electoral history. TIME, 4 Apr. 2024 With so much positivity, the disconnect with major brands is startling. Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024 Advocates say the disconnect is allowing the illicit market to flourish, while opponents have safety health and safety concerns with further expanding access to the drug. Sarah Rankin, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024 Advocates say the disconnect is allowing the illicit market to flourish, while opponents have health and safety concerns with further expanding access to the drug. Sarah Rankin, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2024 But during his interview with Mr. Hur, Mr. Biden explained another crucial disconnect: Mr. Obama’s differing view on Mr. Biden’s political future. Katie Rogers, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024 Expect some disconnect when the moon opposes Neptune. USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disconnect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1751, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disconnect was in 1751

Dictionary Entries Near disconnect

Cite this Entry

“Disconnect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disconnect. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

disconnect

verb
dis·​con·​nect
ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt
: to undo or break the connection of
disconnect two pipes
disconnect a telephone
disconnection
-ˈnek-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on disconnect

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!