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

• 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

Airspace disruptions were most severe on Friday in the region after Israel halted overflights and Iran ceased operations at its main airport in Tehran. —Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025

However, after contending with a string of conflicts going back to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and beyond, the disruption of war has become a fact of life that airlines have become adept at dealing with. —Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 21 June 2025

There are many facets from which to view the disruption. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

The grand jury looked at all of what OCTA does, from buses to freeways, but focused on the OC Streetcar project and the San Clemente rail disruptions after receiving complaints from residents. —Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 21 June 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