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

• balk
• bar
• block
• chain
• clog
• cramp
• crimp
• deterrent
• drag
• embarrassment
• encumbrance
• fetter
• handicap
• hindrance
• holdback
• hurdle
• impediment
• inhibition
• let
• manacle
• obstacle
• obstruction
• shackles
• stop
• stumbling block
• trammel

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

In the election interference cases, lawyers for Mr. Trump and other defendants have generally not disputed the evidence, choosing instead to challenge the investigations on free speech, immunity or procedural grounds. —Danny Hakim, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Washington — The Supreme Court is weighing the scope of a federal obstruction statute used to prosecute hundreds of people who breached the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a legal battle that could have ramifications for the election interference case against former President Donald Trump. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024

Two of four charges against Trump in his federal election interference case are based on the same law, so the Supreme Court's decision could affect him and hundreds of others. —Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024

Chris Buescher gets a penalty for equipment interference. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2024

Government lawyers argue that the violent disruption of the peaceful transfer of power after a presidential election, including attacks on police officers, is no minor interference. —Ann E. Marimow, Washington Post, 13 Apr. 2024

In contrast, optical neural networks that depend on interference can readily be reconfigured. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Apr. 2024

Trump, since he was indicted in this case, has blasted it as election interference and a political witch hunt against him run by his political opponents. —Brooke Singman, Fox News, 5 Apr. 2024

An open records request to the Tarrant County Election Integrity Task Force asking for any instances of voter fraud or voter interference during the primary election returned no responsive records for either election day or early voting. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing interference

• RNA interference
• run interference

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