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

The mouse's battery life has been increased to 90 hours, providing extended gaming sessions without interruption. —Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 23 Sep. 2024

But these fever dreams land more as campy interruptions than as surreal and heightened hauntings. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2024

Here are a few tips for using interruptions wisely. —Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024

Every 30 days, Apple Watch analyzes Breathing Disturbance data and alerts those users with a consistent pattern of sleep interruptions to visit a physician for possible diagnosis of sleep apnea. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1