interrupt

1 of 2

verb

in·​ter·​rupt ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt 

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

ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-tə-bəl 

adjective

interruptive

ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-tiv 

adverb

interrupt

2 of 2

noun

in·​ter·​rupt ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt 

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

Synonyms

Verb

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

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

Verb

City officials declined to comment Monday on whether the threats against Radisson could interrupt its conversion to housing under the California Homekey program. —Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024

Prince William is a loyal soccer follower and has been known to interrupt his children's school breaks to comment on the biggest news in the game. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 10 June 2024

Noun

Embiid’s unfortunate injury interrupts what has been another terrific campaign for the 29-year-old center. —Sam Joseph, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024

Changing the number loaded into the timer alters the interval between interrupts. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Jan. 2024

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

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