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

Yet the speech wasn’t without some disruption. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 25 Feb. 2026

Because many travelers book trips months in advance, the biggest question now is whether the recent disruptions in western Mexico will stabilize before those peak weeks or whether airlines and cruise lines will continue adjusting schedules and itineraries as spring break demand ramps up. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026

Breedlove pointed to rapid Ukrainian gains following disruptions in Russia’s command-and-control systems. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026

And city officials are urging people to prepare for traffic disruptions and delays. —Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 24 Feb. 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