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. Garraty
Examples of disruption in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In an attempt to fend off possible disruptions of final exams and graduation ceremonies, a small number of universities stuck deals with protestors.
—CBS News, 4 May 2024
So much for beating the biological clock, as promised by a multimillion-dollar industry that promoted its technologies in part as a way for women to avoid detrimental career disruptions.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
Ghosting and Orbiting Ghosting is a sudden disruption in a relationship without any explanation.
—Danielle Sukenik, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2024
University leaders are balancing students’ right to protest with a desire to minimize disruptions to their campuses and enforce a state rule banning encampments.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024
And then, also, remember that Rafah is where our supply chains are—from Jordan and from Egypt—and that would create an additional disruption for the distribution mechanism.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 May 2024
Vitti credited the legalization of recreational marijuana for creating more disruptions in schools.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 2 May 2024
But nearly two hours past the new curfew, the line of protesters remained standing without any disruption from police or campus officials trying to disperse the demonstration.
—Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024
In rarer instances, university officials and protest leaders struck agreements to restrict the disruption to campus life and upcoming commencement ceremonies.
—Stefanie Dazio, Ethan Swope, Jake Offenhartz, and Joseph B. Frederick, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2024
CBS News, 4 May 2024
So much for beating the biological clock, as promised by a multimillion-dollar industry that promoted its technologies in part as a way for women to avoid detrimental career disruptions.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2024
Ghosting and Orbiting Ghosting is a sudden disruption in a relationship without any explanation.
—Danielle Sukenik, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2024
University leaders are balancing students’ right to protest with a desire to minimize disruptions to their campuses and enforce a state rule banning encampments.
—Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 3 May 2024
And then, also, remember that Rafah is where our supply chains are—from Jordan and from Egypt—and that would create an additional disruption for the distribution mechanism.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 May 2024
Vitti credited the legalization of recreational marijuana for creating more disruptions in schools.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 2 May 2024
But nearly two hours past the new curfew, the line of protesters remained standing without any disruption from police or campus officials trying to disperse the demonstration.
—Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024
In rarer instances, university officials and protest leaders struck agreements to restrict the disruption to campus life and upcoming commencement ceremonies.
—Stefanie Dazio, Ethan Swope, Jake Offenhartz, and Joseph B. Frederick, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'disruption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 8 May. 2024.
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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