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

Clayton County Water Authority officials said a service disruption that temporarily knocked out water to parts of the county was possibly a cyberattack. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Chase's decision allegedly caused financial disruption and reputational damage by requiring the businesses to tell other institutions that their previous bank had terminated the relationships. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

Europe’s summer has not been defined solely by disruption; there have also been moments of collective celebration. — Sam Forsdick, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

The inevitable disruption arrives when Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), Keeley (Juno Temple), and Higgins (Jeremy Swift) drop by, supposedly to scout a Kansas City Current match as research for AFC Richmond’s new women’s team, the Lady Greyhounds. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 5 Aug. 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