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

• derangement
• dislocation
• disturbance
• upset

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

Adding to potential delays and disruptions, the airport is undergoing an extensive construction update, including the closure of security checkpoint 3 through 2026. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2024

This limited supply flexibility can cause price spikes when there are disruptions, leading to volatility in gasoline prices. —Robert Rapier, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Agility in production, with the ability to scale up or down quickly, will be critical in responding to both demand fluctuations and disruptions. —Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 17 Oct. 2024

In a future pandemic, that could mean saving 6 million lives globally and averting 91% of the kind of economic losses and disruptions to education that resulted from the last pandemic. —Jano Costard, Fortune Europe, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

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