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
David MechanicBy 1925 most countries had recovered from the economic disruptions caused by the Great War of 1914-18.—John A. Garraty
John A. GarratyExamples 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
What looks like distant diplomacy or marginal disruption is, in fact, defining competitiveness for the decade ahead.
—Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The standoff also threatens regional stability and global energy markets, with rising oil prices and potential supply disruptions raising the stakes worldwide.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Amid geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures and potential trade disruptions under evolving U.S. policies, investors are increasingly turning to gold as a hedge against volatility.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Other concerns about daylight saving time included disruptions to harvesting schedules for farmers, interference with religious observances based on solar and lunar time, and potential delays in reworking computer systems programmed to switch twice a year.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
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Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The standoff also threatens regional stability and global energy markets, with rising oil prices and potential supply disruptions raising the stakes worldwide.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Amid geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures and potential trade disruptions under evolving U.S. policies, investors are increasingly turning to gold as a hedge against volatility.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Other concerns about daylight saving time included disruptions to harvesting schedules for farmers, interference with religious observances based on solar and lunar time, and potential delays in reworking computer systems programmed to switch twice a year.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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