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

Seamless travel will look like fewer interruptions and shorter wait times while technology works quietly in the background. —Omry Litvak, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Career interruptions in a workforce often dismissive of aging women. —Essence, 20 May 2025

Biotechnology company Regeneron will acquire 23andMe out of bankruptcy for $256 million, with a plan to keep the DNA-testing company running without interruption and uphold its privacy protection promises. —Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025

Politicizing global health Previous interruptions in aid foreshadow what’s at stake when shifts in U.S. political priorities compromise global health funding. —Kathryn Rhine, The Conversation, 19 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption