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
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
Bessent’s interruption triggered an immediate and sharp rebuke from the Ranking Member.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
But for some working at one nonprofit, Life Deeds, the city’s investment in violence interruption became an extra business opportunity.
—Jenny Gathright, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
But any interruption can delay action and cost lives.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026
The interruption in hiring figures follows major delays in official federal economic data last fall, when a 43-day shutdown pushed back releases of the monthly Consumer Price Index and labor market reports.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interruption
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
But for some working at one nonprofit, Life Deeds, the city’s investment in violence interruption became an extra business opportunity.
—Jenny Gathright, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
But any interruption can delay action and cost lives.
—Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026
The interruption in hiring figures follows major delays in official federal economic data last fall, when a 43-day shutdown pushed back releases of the monthly Consumer Price Index and labor market reports.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for interruption
Cite this Entry
“Interruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interruption. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
