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

By 1925 most countries had recovered from the economic disruptions caused by the Great War of 1914-18.

—John A. Garraty

Synonyms of disruption

• disturbance
• dislocation

Examples 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

Platform construction for the light rail station at the Eighth and O streets will cause multiple service disruptions. — Madison Smalstig july 8, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026

The summer is still young, but travelers have already dealt with the seasonal one-two-three punch of extreme weather, schedule disruptions and stressful flights. — Natalie B. Compton, Washington Post, 8 July 2026

While no one wants a bad night's sleep, most of us experience occasional sleep disruptions stemming from familiar culprits like late-night doomscrolling, too much caffeine, stress or an inconsistent bedtime routine. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Employees today are operating through a constant lens of disruption from artificial intelligence, to return-to-office debates, to shifting expectations around culture and leadership. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disruption

• corruption
• eruption
• irruption
• incorruption
• interruption

Medical 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

disrupt

dis-ˈrəpt 

transitive verb