interrupts; interrupted; interrupting
1
: to ask questions or say things while another person is speaking : to do or say something that causes someone to stop speaking
Please don't interrupt me (while I'm talking).
It's not polite to interrupt.
Please don't interrupt (while I'm talking).
2
: to cause (something) to stop happening for a time
His dinner was interrupted by a phone call.
We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement.
3
: to cause (something) to not be even or continuous : to change or stop the sameness or smoothness of (something)
Every summer periods of cool weather occasionally interrupt the intense heat.
—often used as (be) interruptedThe intense heat is occasionally interrupted by periods of cool weather.
a grassy plain interrupted by a lone tree
Cite this Entry
“Interrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/interrupt. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.
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