interruption

noun

in·​ter·​rup·​tion ˌin-tə-ˈrəp-shən 

plural interruptions

1

: an act of interrupting something or someone or the state of being interrupted: such as

a

: a stoppage or hindering of an activity for a time

Our conversation continued without interruption for over an hour.

b

: a break in the continuity of something

Internet service interruptions

2

: something that causes a stoppage or break in the continuity of something

a rude interruption

watching television without commercial interruptions

Synonyms of interruption

• interval
• hiatus
• pause
• gap

Examples of interruption in a Sentence

an interruption in cable service during the lightning storm

a brief interruption in the discussion while we all got coffee

Recent Examples on the Web

Google says the new setup is meant to reduce tab overload and interruptions. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026

The rest of the organization experiences it as interruption. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026

For more than 25 years, the orbital outpost has been occupied without interruption by a continuously rotating crew of intrepid explorers. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026

Carter, the club’s former top prospect and postseason hero, has yet to complete a season sans interruptions in his first two full years of big league baseball. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption