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

An interruption can feel urgent simply because someone else is waiting for your answer. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026

Households can insure multiple family members under one policy, although trip cancellation and interruption limits are shared at the policy level rather than applying separately to each traveler. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Floodplain alterations cannot have adverse upstream or downstream effects, and earthen flood barriers, or any other interruption to the natural flow of flood water, is prohibited. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026

The squeeze gesture is very useful for quickly bringing up the tool menu and switching between them, integrating them into your workflow without any interruptions. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption