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: to become detached or withdrawn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

Given the series’ Marvel DNA, Spider-Noir’s in-app color swapping may seem like another way to disconnect the image from the laws of the natural world. — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Some fail because of a lack of training; others fail because tools are disconnected from existing systems, governance is overly restrictive or business processes remain unchanged. — Fabio Caversan, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

That economic strain is causing a growing disconnect between Syrians’ expectations of their new government and their reality. — Tala Alrajjal, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026

But Humboldt County residents and officials decry the move as just the latest example of overregulation and government overreach in liberal California — and of the disconnect between its rural and urban places. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 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