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 of disruption

• disturbance
• dislocation

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

As that hasn’t been required since, the disruption has reduced, which inevitably helps to smooth things over. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2025

The recent passage of Hurricane Melissa unleashed widespread disruption and compounded existing problems with food and transportation, even though the country’s dodged a direct hit. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025

For lawmakers preparing billion-dollar reskilling and training investments, the index offers a detailed map of where disruption is forming down to the zip code. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

The wintry precipitation is expected to roll out of the area Saturday evening, leaving behind a cold Sunday that should help resolve any travel disruptions from Friday and Saturday, the weather service said. —Kansas City Star, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for disruption

• corruption
• eruption
• irruption
• incorruption
• interruption

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