in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt 
interrupted; interrupting; interrupts
1
: to stop or hinder by breaking in
interrupted the speaker with frequent questions
2
: to break the uniformity or continuity of
a hot spell occasionally interrupted by a period of cool weather
: to break in upon an action
especially
: to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking
in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt
ˈin-tə-ˌrəpt
: a feature of a computer that permits the temporary interruption of one activity (such as the execution of a program) in order to perform another
also
: the interruption itself
Examples of interrupt in a Sentence
Verb
It's not polite to interrupt.
His dinner was interrupted by a phone call.
We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement.
Every summer periods of cool weather occasionally interrupt the intense heat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ben Church, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Huw Owen, the company’s chief executive, said its electrical supply was interrupted when the fire broke out.
—Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Create pattern interrupts to unlock productivity Looking at the same four walls is killing your business gains.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrupt
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show current usage.
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Verb
Joe Biden last welcomed the Dodgers to the White House in 2021, marking a return to a regular tradition that was interrupted by Covid-19.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Huw Owen, the company’s chief executive, said its electrical supply was interrupted when the fire broke out.
—Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
The 'pattern interrupt' post Pattern interrupts make people notice you.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Create pattern interrupts to unlock productivity Looking at the same four walls is killing your business gains.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrupt
Cite this Entry
“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrupt. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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