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 State Department also warned travelers to prepare for potential disruptions, including periodic airspace closures that could affect international flights.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Roughly 20% of global oil flows through Hormuz, meaning even the threat of disruption is enough to move markets and reshape diplomatic calculations.
—Derek Chollet, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Judging from the volume and tenor of user complaints, weather might be second only to social media as a space in need of fresh disruption.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Travel disruptions deepened Tuesday as senators raced to salvage a proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the department, including airport workers going without pay, but excluding immigration operations that have been core to the dispute.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disruption
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Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Roughly 20% of global oil flows through Hormuz, meaning even the threat of disruption is enough to move markets and reshape diplomatic calculations.
—Derek Chollet, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Judging from the volume and tenor of user complaints, weather might be second only to social media as a space in need of fresh disruption.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Travel disruptions deepened Tuesday as senators raced to salvage a proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the department, including airport workers going without pay, but excluding immigration operations that have been core to the dispute.
—Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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