interruption

noun

in·​ter·​rup·​tion ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-shən How to pronounce interruption (audio)
plural interruptions
1
: an act of interrupting something or someone or the state of being interrupted: such as
a
: a stoppage or hindering of an activity for a time
Our conversation continued without interruption for over an hour.
b
: a break in the continuity of something
Internet service interruptions
2
: something that causes a stoppage or break in the continuity of something
a rude interruption
watching television without commercial interruptions

Examples of interruption in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Damage from fire and insects and interruptions due to human structures have created a disconnected mosaic of habitat for red squirrels. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024 Now, sometimes those interruptions are in our world and not of our own making. Terry Gross, NPR, 26 Feb. 2024 The aesthetic story continued without interruption and without dilution. Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 Their battle comes to a head in a stunning trial sequence (already known from an online video of a recent interruption of a performance interrupted by climate change protestors). Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 Actors were called to leave the stage while the protestors were removed, but many remained in character throughout the disruption, with Strong and Imperioli reacting to Extinction Rebellion as if the interruption were part of the script. EW.com, 15 Mar. 2024 In a 2022 interview with Golf Digest, Valdes revealed his interruption was the result of a $500 dare from a friend. Jack Bantock, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 The lines appeared to have been cut on Feb. 24, with the organization NetBlocks noticing internet access in the East African nation of Djibouti suffering from interruptions two days later. Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2024 Navalny’s team, which operates in exile in Vilnius, Lithuania, broadcast the funeral live but reported interruptions to the internet around the church in southeastern Moscow. Francesca ebel, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interruption.' 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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interruption was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near interruption

Cite this Entry

“Interruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interruption. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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