Definition of interference
1a : the act or process of interferingb : 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)
3a : the legal blocking of an opponent in football to make way for the ballcarrierb : 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
5a : 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 frequencyb : something that produces such confusion
6 : the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent
From the M-W Editors
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
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The Justice Department last month tapped former FBI Director Robert Mueller as special counsel to lead the federal investigation into Russian interference.
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Sen. Kamala Harris on Friday said she is frustrated with the pace of the Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation into Russian interference in last year’s presidential election and wants the panel to move faster.
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The French presidential election came up once more when the two leaders were asked about allegations of Russian interference.
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President Petro Poroshenko said the move was made in response to Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula and continuing interference in eastern Ukraine.
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The controversy is the latest to tie the most senior ranks of President Donald Trump's administration to Moscow amid multiple investigations into Russian interference in the election.
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While overseas, Trump's longtime lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, joined a still-forming legal team to help the president shoulder the intensifying investigations into Russian interference in the election and his associates' potential involvement.
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Along with Flynn, the investigation into Russia’s interference has also embroiled Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort.
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Later in the meeting, the committee approved a separate measure to boost efforts to counter Russian propaganda and election interference in the United States and around the world.
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.
1783
First Known Use of interference
1783
INTERFERENCE Defined for English Language Learners
interference
playDefinition of interference for English Language Learners
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: involvement in the activities and concerns of other people when your involvement is not wanted : the act of interfering
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: additional signals that weaken or block the main signal in a radio or television broadcast
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sports : the act of illegally hitting or getting in the way of an opponent
INTERFERENCE Defined for Kids
interference
playDefinition 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
playMedical 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
Law Dictionary
interference
Legal Definition of interference
1a : the act or an instance of interfering interference with contract b : something that interferes
2 : a hearing to determine the priority of invention at issue in a patent dispute
Learn More about interference
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for interference Spanish Central: Translation of interference Nglish: Translation of interference for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of interference for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about interference
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