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

For now, Kallianpur said investors appear to be treating the two-year implementation period as breathing room rather than an immediate disruption. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 22 July 2026

The simultaneous disruption of several transportation routes, including energy, shipping and air cargo, is expected to increase global inflation and put key world economies at risk of stagflation. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 July 2026

The two did not seem to be aware that McCarty’s microphone was live during a recess prompted by audience disruption. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Such disruptions are prompting foreign companies, like Samsung, to consider investments in alternative, sovereign AI providers such as France's Mistral. — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 22 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