noun
Uncommon
disruption
dihs-RUHP-shuhn
Disruption (noun) means a break in the normal flow, order, or continuity of something. Example: “The strike caused major disruption to public transport.”
noun
1
A break in the normal flow, order, or continuity of something.
"The strike caused major disruption to public transport."
"We apologize for any disruption to your service this week."
"Heavy snow caused disruption on the roads and several flights were delayed."
2
An event of sustained disorder or breakdown.
"The company struggled to recover from the disruption of the merger."
"The disruption in the factory lasted for weeks after the power system failed."
"Months of disruption followed the flood, and many families could not return home."
How to use disruption
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that interrupts or breaks the normal way things happen.
Common pairings
cause disruption
minimal disruption
disruption to services
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Word forms
- Plural
- disruptions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The strike caused major _____ to public transport.
Etymology
From Latin disruptionem, a breaking apart, built from the verb disrumpere ("to break asunder").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for disruption
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for disruption →
Frequently asked questions
What does “disruption” mean?
The word “disruption” means a break in the normal flow, order, or continuity of something. In plain terms, something that interrupts or breaks the normal way things happen.
How do you pronounce “disruption”?
“Disruption” is pronounced dihs-RUHP-shuhn (/dɪsˈɹʌpʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “disruption” in a sentence?
Here is “disruption” used in a sentence: “The strike caused major disruption to public transport.”
What part of speech is “disruption”?
“Disruption” is a noun.
Where does the word “disruption” come from?
The word “disruption” comes from Latin. From Latin disruptionem, a breaking apart, built from the verb disrumpere ("to break asunder").
Is “disruption” a common word?
“Disruption” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “disruption” have?
“Disruption” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a break in the normal flow, order, or continuity of something.
What is the difference between disruption and interruption?
Disruption refers to a break in the normal flow, order, or continuity of something, often more significant or prolonged, such as widespread transport disruption. Interruption typically describes a brief pause or break in an ongoing activity, like being interrupted during a conversation.
What is the difference between disruption and disorder?
Disruption describes an event that breaks the normal flow or continuity of something, while disorder describes a sustained state of breakdown or chaos, which the definition notes disruption can also refer to in its second sense. Disruption often implies a cause, whereas disorder describes the resulting condition.
How is disruption used in a business context?
In business, disruption often describes a significant change that breaks established patterns or systems, such as 'supply chain disruption' or 'market disruption' caused by new technology or events. It generally implies the normal order has been broken, not just slowed.
