interrupt

¹in·ter·rupt

verb \ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt\

Definition of INTERRUPT

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

— in·ter·rupt·ible \-ˈrəp-tə-bəl\ adjective

— in·ter·rup·tion \-ˈrəp-shən\ noun

— in·ter·rup·tive \-ˈrəp-tiv\ adverb

Examples of INTERRUPT

1. It's not polite to interrupt.
2. His dinner was interrupted by a phone call.
3. We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement.
4. Every summer periods of cool weather occasionally interrupt the intense heat.

Origin of INTERRUPT

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to INTERRUPT

Synonyms

break in, chime in, chip in [chiefly British], cut in, interpose, intrude

Related Words

barge (in), bother, horn in; add, contribute, put in

Rhymes with INTERRUPT

developed, incorrupt

²in·ter·rupt

noun \ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt, ˈin-tə-ˌ\

Definition of INTERRUPT

: a feature of a computer that permits the temporary interruption of one activity (as the execution of a program) in order to perform another; also : the interruption itself

First Known Use of INTERRUPT

1957

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router