in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt 
interrupted; interrupting; interrupts
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
: to break in upon an action
especially
: to break in with questions or remarks while another is speaking
in·ter·rupt
ˌin-tə-ˈrəpt
ˈin-tə-ˌrəpt
: 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
Examples of interrupt in a Sentence
Verb
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 on the Web
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Incorporating short walks, stretching or light exercises throughout the day can interrupt long periods of inactivity and offer significant health benefits.
—Jack McNamara, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Tim attempts to talk about her promotion and Lilith interrupts, in typical youngest-child fashion, with another probably untrue story of her own latest professional success.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrupt
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Verb
The final episode saw Carly and Freddie get engaged, only to be interrupted by her mother, a figure shrouded in mystery throughout the original and reboot shows.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
Incorporating short walks, stretching or light exercises throughout the day can interrupt long periods of inactivity and offer significant health benefits.
—Jack McNamara, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
Tyler is visiting the graves of his parents when Capri interrupts.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Tim attempts to talk about her promotion and Lilith interrupts, in typical youngest-child fashion, with another probably untrue story of her own latest professional success.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for interrupt
Cite this Entry
“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interrupt. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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