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
The breaches come as the air travel industry has been dealing with an onslaught of cyberattacks that have caused disruptions for customers and ground some of the world’s largest airports to a halt.
—Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Studies have already shown that pollination and plant growth cycles would be disrupted by the amount of light that Reflect Orbital satellites would produce, in addition to the disruptions of bird migrations and the behaviors of animals under both laboratory and wild conditions.
—Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025
Industrial expansion must be strategically located to minimize disruption.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
At a time of uncertainty for the fashion and luxury sectors — still feeling the pinch of economic instability, geopolitical unrest and tariffs — retail is facing disruption and change across geographies.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
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Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
Studies have already shown that pollination and plant growth cycles would be disrupted by the amount of light that Reflect Orbital satellites would produce, in addition to the disruptions of bird migrations and the behaviors of animals under both laboratory and wild conditions.
—Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025
Industrial expansion must be strategically located to minimize disruption.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
At a time of uncertainty for the fashion and luxury sectors — still feeling the pinch of economic instability, geopolitical unrest and tariffs — retail is facing disruption and change across geographies.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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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