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

Those numbers assume the S&P 500 returns more than 10% a year without interruption for 55 years. — Fernanda Tronco, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026

That night’s show was reduced from 29 to 19 songs, between the concert running late from the interruption and Toomey likely not being able to duplicate Castronovo’s lead singing moments as well as his drumming. — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

That's especially useful to me for computers and long-running 3D prints, where even a momentary interruption can ruin hours or days of work. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

The water and sewage institute has reported interruptions at several water treatment plants due to power outages caused by the quake. — Michael Rios, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interruption

• incorruption
• corruption
• disruption
• eruption
• irruption