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
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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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As a solution for this infinite interference, Mensch has a modest proposal: Bomb Moscow.
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Trump's dealings with Russia have been under heavy scrutiny because of the investigations into the Kremlin's interference in the 2016 election.
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The child's parents have been interviewed and charged with interference of custody.
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During a presidential debate, Hillary Clinton brings up the allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election and says that Trump is Putin's puppet.
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But—and this is the most important part of this—in the past, without Facebook and Gmail and Twitter and a million other forms of communications, those hacks represented mostly just interference, rather than actual infiltrating espionage.
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Which intelligence agencies looked into Russian interference in the election?
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That will both cut down on interference from other devices and ensure that your router isn't limiting your internet speeds.
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Trump has been hobbled at home by investigations into Russian election interference, ties between Russia and Trump campaign associates and his firing of FBI Director James Comey.
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 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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