disconnect

1 of 2

verb

dis·​con·​nect ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt 

disconnected; disconnecting; disconnects

transitive verb

1

: to sever the connection of or between

2

: dissociate sense 1

are disconnected from meaningful relationships

intransitive verb

1

: to terminate a connection

2

: to become detached or withdrawn

disconnects into dark moods

disconnection

ˌdis-kə-ˈnek-shən 

noun

disconnect

2 of 2

noun

: a lack of or a break in connection, consistency, or agreement

… a huge disconnect … between the nation's capital and the rest of the country.

—Robert J. Samuelson

Synonyms of disconnect

Verb

• divide
• separate
• split
• resolve
• sever

Examples of disconnect in a Sentence

Verb

The hose and faucet had been disconnected.

Disconnect the old printer and connect the new one.

The alarm system had been disconnected.

Before starting, be sure to disconnect the power supply.

Our landlord threatened to disconnect our electricity.

We were talking on the phone but suddenly we got disconnected.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The one exception was when the AI seemed to disconnect from its search services. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 3 Nov. 2026

Crews disconnected the trailer from the warehouse and moved it away from the building before extinguishing the flames, preventing the fire from spreading inside, officials said. — Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Noun

That disconnect may help explain why affordability remains one of the most important issues on voters' minds this election season. — CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

There are a variety of reasons for the disconnect between in-office work mandates and actual experience. — Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1751, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1982, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disconnect

• architect
• circumspect
• deselect
• dialect
• disinfect
• disrespect
• incorrect
• indirect
• intellect
• interject
• intersect
• pluperfect

Kids Definition

disconnect

verb

dis·​con·​nect

ˌdis-kə-ˈnekt

: to undo or break the connection of

disconnect two pipes

disconnect a telephone

disconnection

-ˈnek-shən

noun