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 Mechanic
By 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
the flat tire resulted in an unfortunate disruption of the schedule for our road trip
Recent Examples on the Web
The wave of online comments was sparked by the boss of condom maker Karex, Goh Miah Kiat, who said the Malaysian company planned to raise prices by 20%-30% and possibly more if supply chain disruptions due to the Iran war drag on. —Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026 As a result, prices tend to move with supply disruptions, manufacturing cycles and broader economic conditions. —Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 Beyond the disruption the conflict with Iran is causing to global energy supplies — from which the US is not insulated, with gasoline prices rising to the highest level in almost four years — satellite imagery suggests oil spills from the war may soon trigger an ecological catastrophe. —Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026 So nothing changes, and the next disruption hits just as hard — if not worse. —Tenzin Seldon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disruption
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.
Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026 As a result, prices tend to move with supply disruptions, manufacturing cycles and broader economic conditions. —Sharon Wu, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 Beyond the disruption the conflict with Iran is causing to global energy supplies — from which the US is not insulated, with gasoline prices rising to the highest level in almost four years — satellite imagery suggests oil spills from the war may soon trigger an ecological catastrophe. —Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026 So nothing changes, and the next disruption hits just as hard — if not worse. —Tenzin Seldon, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disruption
Cite this Entry
“Disruption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/disruption. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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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