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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now Marylanders are experiencing high-cost electric bills and could experience service interruptions and blackouts. Teresa Reilly, Baltimore Sun, 20 Feb. 2025 The 2013 study also found that women were nearly five times as likely as men to report sleep interruptions as a result of caregiving, usually for a child. Melinda Wenner Moyer, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 An interruption in treatments could allow HIV to rebound in less than a month, in some cases, and could lead to more resistant strains arising, Dr. Craig Spencer, an emergency medicine physician and professor at Brown University School of Public Health, told CNN. Hira Humayun, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025 Furthermore, the probability of immediate healthcare interruptions and long-term losses of neighborhood clinics would compound existing health disparities across conditions like asthma, COPD, autoimmune diseases, heart attack, stroke and even cancer outcomes. Essence, 15 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for interruption 

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 26 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interruption

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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