interrupt Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a signal that temporarily stops the execution of a program so that another procedure can be carried out
  2. verb make a break in
    cut off; disrupt; break up.
    • We interrupt the program for the following messages
  3. verb destroy the peace or tranquility of
    disturb.
    • Don't interrupt me when I'm reading
  4. verb interfere in someone else's activity
    disrupt.
    • Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone
  5. verb terminate
    break.
    • She interrupted her pregnancy
    • break a lucky streak
    • break the cycle of poverty

WordNet

In`ter*rupt" transitive verb
Etymology
L. interruptus, p. p. of interrumpere to interrupt; inter between + rumpere to break. See Rupture.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Interrupted; present participle & verbal noun Interrupting
Definitions
  1. To break into, or between; to stop, or hinder by breaking in upon the course or progress of; to interfere with the current or motion of; to cause a temporary cessation of; as, to interrupt the remarks speaking.
    Do not interrupt me in my course. Shak.
  2. To divide; to separate; to break the monotony of; as, the evenness of the road was not interrupted by a single hill.
In`ter*rupt" participial adjective
Etymology
L. interruptus, p. p.
Definitions
  1. Broken; interrupted. Obs. Milton.

Webster 1913