disruption
noun
dis·rup·tion
dis-ˈrəp-shən 
plural disruptions
: the act or process of disrupting something : a break or interruption in the normal course or continuation of some activity, process, etc.
disruption of sleep
disruptions in service
a process that has continued without disruption
Throughout the history of medicine, health has been seen as a condition of equilibrium and illness as the disruption of a balanced state.—
David Mechanic
David MechanicBy 1925 most countries had recovered from the economic disruptions caused by the Great War of 1914-18.—John A. Garraty
John A. GarratyExamples of disruption in a Sentence
the flat tire resulted in an unfortunate disruption of the schedule for our road trip
Recent Examples on the Web
The protests were meant to provoke a response; the obsessive smearing signals that the disruption is doing its work.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Today's students—confronting mounting student debt concerns, AI disruption, and fierce competition for jobs—prioritize credentials, internships, and practical skills over traditional college experiences.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Pompeii’s distinctive homes The removal of thresholds, missing decorations and portions of cut masonry at the entrance suggest the house undergoing a renovation — but the disruption wasn’t significant enough to keep people from living there or seeking refuge during the eruption.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Historically on summer weekends and holidays, the number of visitors visiting the park frequently contributes to crowded conditions and travel disruptions, officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
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Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
Today's students—confronting mounting student debt concerns, AI disruption, and fierce competition for jobs—prioritize credentials, internships, and practical skills over traditional college experiences.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Pompeii’s distinctive homes The removal of thresholds, missing decorations and portions of cut masonry at the entrance suggest the house undergoing a renovation — but the disruption wasn’t significant enough to keep people from living there or seeking refuge during the eruption.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Historically on summer weekends and holidays, the number of visitors visiting the park frequently contributes to crowded conditions and travel disruptions, officials said.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
disruption
noun
dis·rup·tion
dis-ˈrəp-shən
: the act or process of breaking apart or rupturing
bandaged her leg tightly to prevent disruption of the partly healed wound
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