interrupt

1 of 2

verb

in·​ter·​rupt ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt How to pronounce interrupt (audio)
interrupted; interrupting; interrupts

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to break in upon an action
especially : to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking
interruptible adjective
interruptive adverb

interrupt

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​rupt ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt How to pronounce interrupt (audio)
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
Dancing With the Stars also had its season interrupted on Oct. 1 due to the vice presidential debate. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Six early voting locations in Southern California could see outages Monday, Eisenhauer said, but none should have their operations interrupted. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
But Art interrupts by pouring bleach all over her, getting a pile of salt, and smacking it into her open wounds. Barry Levitt, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024 If insomnia delays or interrupts sleep for a few hours, and the alarm clock goes off after a short sleep, waking up can be very difficult. Daniel Combs, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for interrupt 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere, from inter- + rumpere to break — more at reave

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of interrupt was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near interrupt

Cite this Entry

“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrupt. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

interrupt

verb
in·​ter·​rupt
ˌint-ə-ˈrəpt
1
: to stop or hinder by breaking in
interrupt a conversation
2
: to break the sameness or course of
a loud crash interrupted the silence
interrupter noun
interruption
-ˈrəp-shən
noun
interruptive
-ˈrəp-tiv
adjective
Etymology

Verb

Middle English interrupten "to interrupt," from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere "to interrupt," from inter- "between, among" and rumpere "to break" — related to rupture

More from Merriam-Webster on interrupt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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