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

In a statement, DTE Energy spokesperson Amanda Passage said the company does not disclose customer information, but said there are payment arrangements to avoid interruptions. —Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 1 Dec. 2025

Boy, was that a big interruption. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025

There, those processes were separated, creating inefficient use of time and interruptions to a presentation. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025

Since the installation of Phillip Eng as CEO and general manager for the agency, the MBTA has implemented relatively longer closure times to get more done during service interruptions and accomplish several projects at once. —Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption