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Definition of interrupt

interrupt

/ˌɪn.təˈrʌpt/
in · ter · rupt
Adverb:interruptively
•
Plural:interrupts
•
Adjective:interruptive
•
Past Simple:interrupted
•
Past Participle:interrupted
•
Present Participle:interrupting
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interrupt Lexical Profile

interrupt Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To stop someone from speaking by saying or doing something before they have finished.

Example

"Please do not interrupt the speaker until the presentation is complete and the question period begins."

2

To stop the continuous progress, flow, or uniformity of an activity, process, or view.

Example

"Severe winter storms may interrupt electrical service across the northern part of the state."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for interrupt
Antonyms
View all antonyms for interrupt

• noun

1

In computing, a signal sent by hardware or software to a processor indicating an event that requires immediate attention, temporarily halting the execution of the current program.

Example

"When a user presses a key on the keyboard, a hardware interrupt alerts the processor to read the input."

• Rhymes for interrupt

• Nearby Words

interrogation
interrogative
interrogator
interrupt
interrupter
interruptible
interruption

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Latin 'interruptus', the past participle of 'interrumpere' ('to break apart' or 'break off'), formed from 'inter-' ('between') and 'rumpere' ('to break').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Interrupt. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/interrupt
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