Dictionary entries for 'interrupt'

Synonyms

break off
cease
discontinue
suspend
terminate
break in
chime in
chip in
cut in

in·ter·rupt (ĭńtə-rŭpt́)

[Middle English interrupten, from Old French interrupte, interrupted, from Latin interruptus past participle of interrumpere, to break off, inter-, inter-, + rumpere, to break.]

verb: -rupt·ed, -rupt·ing, -rupts.

transitive verb

To break the continuity or uniformity of: Rain interrupted our baseball game.
To hinder or stop the action or discourse of (someone) by breaking in on: The baby interrupted me while I was on the phone.

intransitive verb

To break in on an action or discourse.

noun

Computer Science

A signal to a computer that stops the execution of a running program so that another action can be performed.
A circuit that conveys a signal stopping the execution of a running program.

derivatives

ińter·rupt́i·ble: adjective
ińter·ruṕtion: noun
ińter·ruṕtive: adjective

verb: -rupt·ed, -rupt·ing, -rupts.

transitive verb

intransitive verb

noun

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition