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

No administration has completed a full five-year term without interruption. — Silvia Stellacci, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

To keep the stockpile functional, technical teams must extract, purify, machine, and recycle this material without interruption. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026

Many plans do, however, include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and travel interruption protection. — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026

None of Italy’s 68 governments in the country's 80 years as a republic has yet to complete a five-year term without interruption. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption