interruption

noun

in·​ter·​rup·​tion ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-shən 

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

Synonyms

• discontinuity
• gap
• hiatus
• hiccup
• hiccough
• interim
• interlude
• intermission
• interregnum
• interstice
• interval
• parenthesis

Examples of interruption in a Sentence

an interruption in cable service during the lightning storm

a brief interruption in the discussion while we all got coffee

Recent Examples on the Web

Imagine a place where a remote, hybrid, and traveling workforce can connect with others and work without the nagging interruptions of home life. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024

The unexpected interruption has amused TikTok users, receiving more than 1.2 million views and 91,300 likes. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Though the immediate aftermath could very well involve interruptions to your travel plans or curriculum, the big picture will potentially involve coming up with a new game plan or itinerary (and lots of hashing and rehashing things out with other people during the first couple weeks of December). —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024

Before production resumed after its wartime interruption, the company was renamed Jaguar Cars. —Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1