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
David MechanicBy 1925 most countries had recovered from the economic disruptions caused by the Great War of 1914-18.—John A. Garraty
John A. GarratyExamples 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
Switching autonomy modes without disruption The test also highlighted the MQ-20’s ability to manage flight and mission tasks smoothly.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
The rights of businesses If ICE shows up without a warrant, businesses can ask agents to leave — or potentially refuse service based on their own company policy, perhaps citing safety concerns or other disruptions caused by agents’ presence.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
As people across North Texas work to get their lights back on, rebook canceled trips and repair storm damage after this weekend’s winter storm, fraud experts warn that scammers are posing as utility companies, airlines and relief agencies to target people already dealing with disruptions.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Capital Metro, the city's regional public transportation provider, is scheduled to shift back to regular operations Tuesday after three days of disruptions.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disruption
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Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
The rights of businesses If ICE shows up without a warrant, businesses can ask agents to leave — or potentially refuse service based on their own company policy, perhaps citing safety concerns or other disruptions caused by agents’ presence.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
As people across North Texas work to get their lights back on, rebook canceled trips and repair storm damage after this weekend’s winter storm, fraud experts warn that scammers are posing as utility companies, airlines and relief agencies to target people already dealing with disruptions.
—Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Capital Metro, the city's regional public transportation provider, is scheduled to shift back to regular operations Tuesday after three days of disruptions.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disruption
Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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