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

But in the front corner of the Chiefs’ locker room at Nissan Stadium, almost an interruption to the despair of late Sunday afternoon, third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun opened up his phone and scrolled through his texts. —Sam McDowell December 21, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025

Jorgensen feels that the record player provides an interruption of the heaviness those patients and their families are experiencing. —Olivia Aldridge, NPR, 22 Dec. 2025

In both cases, Christmas functioned not as a sentimental interruption to war, but as a strategic moment to legitimize restraint and probe whether diplomacy could bring an end to the underlying conflict. —Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 20 Dec. 2025

As temperatures drop Friday night, light snow may collect near pass levels, which could cause brief travel interruptions over the Sierra passes. —Nicholas Merianos, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption