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
China chip sector faces more disruption Washington’s various restrictions over the past few years have actually helped boost China’s domestic semiconductor industry, analysts told CNBC, with several companies reporting record revenues last year.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
In 2025, Polis directed OEDIT and state agencies to analyze the effects of tariffs across key industries, finding widespread cost increases, planning challenges, and market disruptions for Colorado businesses.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
OpenAI’s paper calls for automatic safety-net triggers that would expand benefits when AI displacement hits preset thresholds, an acknowledgment that the disruption may arrive faster than any legislative process can handle.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Petrochemical supply chains could take months to recover from the current disruption even if the strait reopens promptly, the CEO of Dow, the chemicals corporation, said at a recent conference.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disruption
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Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
In 2025, Polis directed OEDIT and state agencies to analyze the effects of tariffs across key industries, finding widespread cost increases, planning challenges, and market disruptions for Colorado businesses.
—Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
OpenAI’s paper calls for automatic safety-net triggers that would expand benefits when AI displacement hits preset thresholds, an acknowledgment that the disruption may arrive faster than any legislative process can handle.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Petrochemical supply chains could take months to recover from the current disruption even if the strait reopens promptly, the CEO of Dow, the chemicals corporation, said at a recent conference.
—Npr Staff, NPR, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for disruption
Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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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