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

There will be an increase in traffic and interruptions from June 20 to July 10. —Caché McClay, USA Today, 18 June 2025

Effective leaders refine their risk-transfer practices to safeguard against disruptions and ensure long-term supply chain resilience by seeking coverage for cyber, directors’ and officers’ liability, business interruption, environmental, terrorism, public liability and reputational risk. —John M. Bremen, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Waymo didn't say how long the service interruptions are set to last. —Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 14 June 2025

Here, vulnerability is welcome and the chance of an interruption from a child asking for a third snack is high. —Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption