interference

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​ence ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ən(t)s How to pronounce interference (audio)
ˌin-tə-
1
a
: the act or process of interfering
b
: something that interferes : obstruction
2
a
: the illegal hindering of an opponent in sports
b
: the legal blocking of an opponent in football to make way for the ballcarrier
3
a
: confusion of a received radio signal due to the presence of noise (such as atmospherics) or signals from two or more transmitters on a single frequency
b
: something that produces such confusion
4
: the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (such as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)
5
: partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred
6
: the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent
interferential
ˌin-tər-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl How to pronounce interference (audio)
ˌin-tə-
-ˌfir-ˈen(t)-
adjective

Examples of interference in a Sentence

We had to put up with loud noise and constant interference from the neighbors. interference in the affairs of another nation trying to avoid governmental interference It was hard to hear the radio program because of all the interference. The TV picture had a lot of interference. a hockey player receiving a penalty for interference
Recent Examples on the Web Chinese officials have been careful to avoid openly favoring a U.S. presidential candidate for fear of accusations of election interference, but few Chinese foreign affairs experts see ties between the countries improving dramatically under either Biden or Trump. Lily Kuo, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 The election interference case in Georgia against former President Donald Trump has been buffeted by an effort to disqualify Fani Willis, the main prosecutor, over her romantic relationship with a colleague. Richard Fausset, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2024 While daily drinkers experienced the most sleep interference, periodic energy drink consumption was also associated with poorer sleep. Kaitlin Vogel, Health, 7 Mar. 2024 Trump has also fought gag orders in his New York civil fraud case and his federal election interference case in Washington, D.C. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Norden leads the Center’s work in a variety of areas, including its efforts to ensure that U.S. election infrastructure is secure and accessible to every voter, and to protect elections from disinformation and foreign interference. David Evan Harris, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Mar. 2024 He is now best known by many voters as the manager of Congress’ first impeachment trial of Trump over foreign interference in the 2020 election and his vocal role in the 2021 House investigation into Trump’s accountability for the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024 Key Background In addition to the warming oceans, the lobstering industry in New England has for years been impacted by seasonal closures meant to protect right whales from human interference during their annual migration. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 In one, a 25-year-old former asylum seeker from Sudan, who was tagged by the Home Office as part of the pilot scheme after arriving in the UK via a small boat in May 2022, is challenging the regime for its disproportionate interference with his right to family and private life. Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'interference.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of interference was in 1783

Dictionary Entries Near interference

Cite this Entry

“Interference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interference. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

interference

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​ence ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfir-ən(t)s How to pronounce interference (audio)
1
a
: the act or process of interfering
b
: something that interferes
2
: the shared effect on meeting of two waves (as of light or sound) whereby the waves cancel each other at some points and strengthen each other at other points
3
a
: the act of legally blocking an opponent in football
b
: the act of illegally getting in the way of an opponent in sports
4
a
: confusion of received radio signals due to undesired signals
b
: something that produces such confusion

Medical Definition

interference

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​ence -ˈfir-ən(t)s How to pronounce interference (audio)
1
: the act or process of interfering
2
: the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)
3
: partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred
4
: the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent compare negative transfer
5
: prevention of typical growth and development of a virus in a suitable host by the presence of another virus in the same host individual see interference phenomenon

Legal Definition

interference

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​ence
1
a
: the act or an instance of interfering
interference with contract
b
: something that interferes
2
: a hearing to determine the priority of invention at issue in a patent dispute

More from Merriam-Webster on interference

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