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. GarratyExamples of disruption in a Sentence
the flat tire resulted in an unfortunate disruption of the schedule for our road trip
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2024, global passenger numbers finally surpassed 2019 levels, after years of ripples from the massive disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
—Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
Even alongside valid fears of disruptions to Apple’s supply chain, its product suite and global brand power remain unmatched.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 14 Apr. 2025
The shift accelerated when the COVID-19 pandemic caused additional disruptions to the global supply chain.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
But the disruption isn’t the problem — the old system was.
—Chris Alexander, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
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Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2025
Even alongside valid fears of disruptions to Apple’s supply chain, its product suite and global brand power remain unmatched.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 14 Apr. 2025
The shift accelerated when the COVID-19 pandemic caused additional disruptions to the global supply chain.
—Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
But the disruption isn’t the problem — the old system was.
—Chris Alexander, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disruption
Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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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