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

• discontinuity
• gap
• hiatus
• hiccup
• hiccough
• interim
• interlude
• intermission
• interregnum
• interstice
• interval
• parenthesis

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

To take his club tricks with no interruption, South could play a low trump from both hands at Trick Four. —Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2024

There was a catch, or rather three catches: no Fox News, no live audiences, and no interruptions. —W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 9 Aug. 2024

But the Games have gone on without interruption, despite at least 40 athletes testing positive for the virus, according to the World Health Organization. —Emily Mullin, WIRED, 9 Aug. 2024

Other coverages include travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption, and rental car insurance (primary coverage in the U.S. except for New York residents). —Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 30 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1