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

Just after that test, however, a problem popped up — an interruption in the flow of helium in the upper stage of Artemis 2's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2026

Oil prices ticked up Wednesday on worries of a sustained interruption to global flows. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026

Iran has reasons to limit the trade interruptions. —Kevin Williams, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026

The New York native also had another mid-show interruption recently, this time during his performance at the BRIT Awards. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption