interference
noun
in·ter·fer·ence
ˌin-tər-ˈfir-ən(t)s 
ˌin-tə-
1
a
: the act or process of interfering
b
: something that interferes : obstruction
2
a
: the illegal hindering of an opponent in sports
b
: the legal blocking of an opponent in football to make way for the ballcarrier
3
a
: confusion of a received radio signal due to the presence of noise (such as atmospherics) or signals from two or more transmitters on a single frequency
b
: something that produces such confusion
4
: the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (such as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)
5
: partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred
6
: the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent
Examples of interference in a Sentence
We had to put up with loud noise and constant interference from the neighbors.
interference in the affairs of another nation
trying to avoid governmental interference
It was hard to hear the radio program because of all the interference.
The TV picture had a lot of interference.
a hockey player receiving a penalty for interference
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick Bailey got dinged for a catcher’s interference call, too.
—
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
That woman was arrested by officers on suspicion of interference with religious observance under city ordinance.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Trump in his first term called for Jeff Sessions to investigate Democrat Hillary Clinton and ultimately pushed him out over his recusal from the Russia election interference investigation.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Based around something called a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interference
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Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
That woman was arrested by officers on suspicion of interference with religious observance under city ordinance.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Trump in his first term called for Jeff Sessions to investigate Democrat Hillary Clinton and ultimately pushed him out over his recusal from the Russia election interference investigation.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Based around something called a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interference
Cite this Entry
“Interference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interference. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
interference
noun
in·ter·fer·ence
ˌint-ə(r)-ˈfir-ən(t)s
1
a
: the act or process of interfering
b
: something that interferes
2
: the shared effect on meeting of two waves (as of light or sound) whereby the waves cancel each other at some points and strengthen each other at other points
3
a
: the act of legally blocking an opponent in football
b
: the act of illegally getting in the way of an opponent in sports
4
a
: confusion of received radio signals due to undesired signals
b
: something that produces such confusion
Medical Definition
interference
noun
in·ter·fer·ence
-ˈfir-ən(t)s
1
: the act or process of interfering
2
: the mutual effect on meeting of two wave trains (as of light or sound) that constitutes alternating areas of increased and decreased amplitude (as light and dark lines or louder and softer sound)
3
: partial or complete inhibition or sometimes facilitation of other genetic crossovers in the vicinity of a chromosomal locus where a preceding crossover has occurred
4
: the disturbing effect of new learning on the performance of previously learned behavior with which it is inconsistent compare negative transfer
5
: prevention of typical growth and development of a virus in a suitable host by the presence of another virus in the same host individual see interference phenomenon
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