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

• 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

Morejón, still just 25, seems to have found his niche six years after making his major league debut, being tried as a starter and enduring a half-dozen interruptions to his career caused by injury. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025

This goes nowhere and does not curb the interruptions. —R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025

The technical college has experienced long delays between losing an instructor and hiring another, resulting in program interruptions and delayed completion for students, including in accounting, massage therapy and automotive services. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025

Smart cities must plan for potential breaches and create systems that can withstand and recover rapidly from interruption. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption