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

However, the article questions this approach, arguing drones can still succeed by causing disruption even if defeated, and calls for more proactive air dominance against evolving drone threats. — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

If a star gets too close to a black hole, it will be shredded by tidal forces in what’s called a tidal disruption event (TDE). — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 July 2026

That caused the greatest disruption in oil supplies in history and sent energy prices surging. — Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 29 July 2026

Amid domestic and global supply chain disruptions, Seko Logistics sees an open lane for growth, which is why the company is making key investments to expand across the Midwest and in Texas. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 July 2026

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