interference

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​ence ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ən(t)s 

ˌin-tə-

1

a

: the act or process of interfering

b

: something that interferes : obstruction

2

a

: the illegal hindering of an opponent in sports

b

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

3

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

4

: 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)

5

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

6

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

interferential

ˌin-tər-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 

ˌin-tə-

-ˌfir-ˈen(t)-

adjective

Synonyms

• obstacle
• obstruction
• hurdle
• embarrassment
• barrier

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 on the Web

No foreign control: Data is physically and legally bound to its jurisdiction, immune to extraterritorial interference. —Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

The research paper delves further, showing how the design changes to the Starlink satellites should prevent interference with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, which features a massive telescope and recently came online. —PC Magazine, 11 July 2025

No studio interference, no Joss Whedon adding his own sensibility: This 242-minute totem is the purest expression of the maximalist filmmaker’s mythic take on the gods who roam the land, utilizing their incredible powers to protect us puny humans. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025

Earl was the first person to be charged under the National Security Act, which created new measures to combat espionage, political interference and benefiting from foreign intelligence services. —Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing interference

• RNA interference
• run interference

Rhymes for interference

• disappearance
• incoherence
• perseverance
• reappearance
• adherence
• appearance
• coherence
• preclearance
• clearance
• noninterference

Kids Definition

interference

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​ence ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfir-ən(t)s 

1

a

: the act or process of interfering

b

: something that interferes

2

: the shared effect on meeting of two waves (as of light or sound) whereby the waves cancel each other at some points and strengthen each other at other points

3

a

: the act of legally blocking an opponent in football

b

: the act of illegally getting in the way of an opponent in sports

4

a

: confusion of received radio signals due to undesired signals

b

: something that produces such confusion

Medical Definition

interference

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​ence -ˈfir-ən(t)s 

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

Legal Definition

interference

noun

in·​ter·​fer·​ence

1

a

: 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