interference

noun in·ter·fer·ence \ ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ən(t)s , ˌin-tə- \

Definition of interference

1 a : the act or process of interfering

b : something that interferes : obstruction

2 : the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (such as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)

3 a : the legal blocking of an opponent in football to make way for the ballcarrier

b : the illegal hindering of an opponent in sports

4 : partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred

5 a : confusion of a received radio signal due to the presence of noise (such as atmospherics) or signals from two or more transmitters on a single frequency

b : something that produces such confusion

6 : the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent

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interferential

play \ˌin-tər-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl, ˌin-tə-, -ˌfir-ˈen(t)-\ adjective

See interference defined for English-language learners

See interference defined for kids

Examples of interference in a Sentence

We had to put up with loud noise and constant interference from the neighbors.
interference in the affairs of another nation
trying to avoid governmental interference
It was hard to hear the radio program because of all the interference.
The TV picture had a lot of interference.
a hockey player receiving a penalty for interference

Recent Examples of interference from the Web

The news comes amid a heightening of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "Documents Reveal Ties Between Wilbur Ross and Putin-Linked Business," 5 Nov. 2017
While that is important, there remains the more fundamental question of Russia’s interference, irrespective of whether anyone attached to the Trump campaign was assisting.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Can the U.S. Hold Russia Accountable for Interfering in the 2016 Election?," 3 Nov. 2017
Earlier in the game, Ohio State appeared to have another interception in the end zone but the play was wiped out by a phantom pass interference call.

— dan gartland, SI.com, "Watch: Penn State Granted Controversial Touchdown on Overturned Call," 28 Oct. 2017
Remove the second beam splitter and interference becomes impossible.

— adrian cho, Science | AAAS, "Quantum experiment in space confirms that reality is what you make it," 27 Oct. 2017
According to a January report from the U.S. intelligence community, Russia’s interference in the 2016 election was directed at the highest levels of its government.

— rebecca ballhaus, WSJ, "Clinton Campaign, DNC Helped Fund Trump-Russia Dossier," 25 Oct. 2017
Coghlan reports that invasive salmon and interference with the headwaters of rivers running through the region also threaten the area.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Three Incredible Natural Areas Nominated for the World Heritage List," 1 June 2017
But allegations of voter fraud, election interference by foreign governments, and intrusions into state electoral agencies' systems have since cast a pall over the system that determines who makes the laws and enforces them in the United States.

— sean gallagher, Ars Technica, "Hacking the vote: Threats keep changing, but election IT sadly stays the same," 7 Nov. 2017
Briean Boddy-Calhoun was flagged for a dubious pass interference penalty in the end zone, leading to a Vikings TD.

— terry pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns Scribbles: Perfection, mistakes, losing -- Terry Pluto (photos)," 29 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interference.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of interference

1783

interference Synonyms

INTERFERENCE Defined for English Language Learners

interference

noun

Definition of interference for English Language Learners

: involvement in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted : the act of interfering
: additional signals that weaken or block the main signal in a radio or television broadcast
sports : the act of illegally hitting or getting in the way of an opponent

INTERFERENCE Defined for Kids

interference

noun in·ter·fer·ence \ ˌin-tər-ˈfir-əns \

Definition of interference for Students

1 : something that gets in the way as an obstacle

2 : involvement in the concerns of others when such involvement is not wanted

The young couple disliked their parents' interference.

Medical Dictionary

interference

noun in·ter·fer·ence \ -ˈfir-ən(t)s \

medical Definition of interference

1 : the act or process of interfering

2 : the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)

3 : partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred

4 : the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent — compare negative transfer

5 : prevention of typical growth and development of a virus in a suitable host by the presence of another virus in the same host individual — see interference phenomenon