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Definition of interrupt
transitive verb
1 : to stop or hinder by breaking in interrupted the speaker with frequent questions
2 : to break the uniformity or continuity of a hot spell occasionally interrupted by a period of cool weather
intransitive verb
: to break in upon an action; especially : to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking
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Examples of interrupt in a Sentence
It's not polite to interrupt.
His dinner was interrupted by a phone call.
We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement.
Every summer periods of cool weather occasionally interrupt the intense heat.
Recent Examples of interrupt from the Web
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Still, that dialog is being interrupted by the standoff between the U.S. and North Korea over the latter’s nuclear program.
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If that rule is broken, producers can interrupt and stop the intercourse.
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NEW YORK (AP) — White House press secretary Sean Spicer’s briefing with reporters turned testy on Monday, with CNN’s Jim Acosta interrupting President Donald Trump’s chief spokesman to demand he explain why television cameras were ordered off.
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Some of that work could be interrupted because the village has to coordinate it with finishing work, such as sidewalks, that IDOT is overseeing, La Margo said.
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All eight round of 16 matches were interrupted by rain before completion.
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A life interrupted laid out in crime scene evidence photos and inventory.
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Protesters interrupted performances, and Delta Air Lines and Bank of America sought their own safe spaces, withdrawing corporate sponsorships.
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Le-a Table features a flat plane surface interrupted by a corkscrew design, which stabilizes the table as well as mimics the silhouette of her hair.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'interrupt'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of interrupt
Middle English, from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere, from inter- + rumpere to break — more at reave
Definition of interrupt
: a feature of a computer that permits the temporary interruption of one activity (such as the execution of a program) in order to perform another; also : the interruption itself
First Known Use of interrupt
1957
INTERRUPT Defined for English Language Learners
interrupt
playDefinition of interrupt for English Language Learners
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: to ask questions or say things while another person is speaking : to do or say something that causes someone to stop speaking
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: to cause (something) to stop happening for a time
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: to cause (something) to not be even or continuous : to change or stop the sameness or smoothness of (something)
INTERRUPT Defined for Kids
interrupt
playDefinition of interrupt for Students
interrupted
;interrupting
1 : to stop or hinder by breaking in Don't interrupt our conversation.
2 : to break the sameness or course of A loud crash interrupted the silence.
Learn More about interrupt
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See words that rhyme with interrupt Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for interrupt Spanish Central: Translation of interrupt Nglish: Translation of interrupt for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of interrupt for Arabic speakers
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