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

This brief interruption prevents hours wasted in reactive work modes. —Vipin Thomas, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Baltimore could see challenges in maintaining the significant progress made in violent crime reduction, as federal officials under President Donald Trump slash local violence interruption grant funding. —Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2025

Seemingly disastrous, the interruption instead goes viral, bringing new audiences to the ballet and potentially saving Geneviève's job. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Since sharing the video of the interruption online, Brada has been blown away by the online reaction. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption