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interference

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​ence | \ ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ən(t)s How to pronounce interference (audio) , ˌin-tə-\

Definition of interference

1a : 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)
3a : 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
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 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
Other Words from interference Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about interference

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Other Words from interference

interferential \ ˌin-​tər-​fə-​ˈren(t)-​shəl How to pronounce interferential (audio) , ˌin-​tə-​ , -​ˌfir-​ˈen(t)-​ \ adjective

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
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Recent Examples on the Web

 That same day, the Boston Globe reported that more than 160 instances of suspected interference had been logged since August 1. — Rachel Withers, Vox, "Mattis claims Russia attempted to “muck around” in the 2018 midterms," 2 Dec. 2018 The Janet deadline means every round of interference from Sonny, Ghost, or the FBI is a dangerous setback. — Tasha Robinson, The Verge, "Ant-Man and the Wasp is a solid improvement on Ant-Man," 6 July 2018 According to Campbell, the umpire said the call was automatic interference, which immediately makes it a dead ball and the play stops. — Mike Hutton, Post-Tribune, "'No one hits him like that': Fishers chases Purdue-bound pitcher Austin Peterson in semistate win over Chesterton," 10 June 2018 The Pirates challenged that Rizzo's slide was interference, but the call was upheld on the field. — Pete Grathoff, kansascity, "MLB rules umpires got it wrong on this slide into home plate by Cubs' Anthony Rizzo," 29 May 2018 Rizzo did appear to initiate contact outside of the clear path to home plate, which could have been interference. — Andrew Joseph, For The Win, "Anthony Rizzo's dangerous slide at home led to a 2-run throwing error," 28 May 2018 Hogan’s executive order mandating schools start after Labor Day is an example of state interference in local decision making, says Richard Madaleno, a candidate for governor who has spent years in the Maryland Senate. — Liz Bowie, baltimoresun.com, "Education: Democrats running for governor say it's the top issue for voters," 26 May 2018 Now Longjiang-2 orbits the moon by its lonesome, testing out future radio astronomy and interferometry techniques (studying what happens when light, radio, electromagnetic, and various other types of waves are met with interference). — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Chinese Satellite Nabs Stunning Moon-Earth Shot," 6 Feb. 2019 And antitrust decisions are supposed to be made independent of interference from the White House. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "Republicans are mad at Google for search bias—will they do anything about it?," 12 Dec. 2018

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.

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First Known Use of interference

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Statistics for interference

Last Updated

11 Mar 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for interference

The first known use of interference was in 1783

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More Definitions for interference

interference

noun
How to pronounce interference (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of interference

: 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

See the full definition for interference in the English Language Learners Dictionary

interference

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​ence | \ ˌin-tər-ˈfir-əns How to pronounce interference (audio) \

Kids Definition of interference

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.

interference

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​ence | \ -ˈfir-ən(t)s How to pronounce interference (audio) \

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

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interference

noun
in·​ter·​fer·​ence

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on interference

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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