disruption

noun

dis·​rup·​tion dis-ˈrəp-shən 

plural disruptions

: the act or process of disrupting something : a break or interruption in the normal course or continuation of some activity, process, etc.

disruption of sleep

disruptions in service

a process that has continued without disruption

Throughout the history of medicine, health has been seen as a condition of equilibrium and illness as the disruption of a balanced state.

—David Mechanic

By 1925 most countries had recovered from the economic disruptions caused by the Great War of 1914-18.

—John A. Garraty

Synonyms

• derangement
• dislocation
• disturbance
• upset

Examples of disruption in a Sentence

the flat tire resulted in an unfortunate disruption of the schedule for our road trip

Recent Examples on the Web

Italy’s film industry is fighting to stay vibrant amid disruption caused both by politics and market forces. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 17 May 2024

And unlike labor disruptions that rocked Hollywood last year, the good news is the Writers Guild of Canada has agreed to terms on a new deal with Canadian indie film and TV producers to herald continuing labor peace north of the border. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2024

Nor are you obliged to subject yourself to the pain and disruption that your father’s manipulations may bring you. —Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 17 May 2024

Here's what to know about the solar flare: Solar storm:Farmers report GPS disruptions amid planting season due to solar storm Just how powerful is this solar flare? —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 15 May 2024

Past conventions have seen scores of protesters and marchers descend on the area surrounding the convention, some of the protests ending without much disruption and others punctuated by bursts of vandalism, violence or mass arrests. —Sarah Volpenhein, Journal Sentinel, 13 May 2024

The letter, shared exclusively with TIME, comes after a report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found that major grocery chains took advantage of supply chain disruptions during the pandemic to hike up prices to increase their profits. —Nik Popli, TIME, 13 May 2024

The pandemic showed how badly the chip industry and its customers could be hurt by supply chain disruptions. —Peter Green, Quartz, 11 May 2024

In an attempt to fend off possible disruptions of final exams and graduation ceremonies, a small number of universities stuck deals with protestors. —CBS News, 4 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

disruption

noun

dis·​rup·​tion dis-ˈrəp-shən 

: the act or process of breaking apart or rupturing

bandaged her leg tightly to prevent disruption of the partly healed wound

disrupt

dis-ˈrəpt 

transitive verb