1 : to ask questions or say things while another person is speaking : to do or say something that causes someone to stop speaking
(+ object)
Please don’t interrupt me (while I’m talking).
(no object)
It’s not polite to interrupt.
Please don’t interrupt (while I’m talking).
2 : (+ object) : to cause (something) to stop happening for a time
His dinner was interrupted by a phone call.
We interrupt this program to bring you a special announcement.
3 : (+ object) : to cause (something) to not be even or continuous : to change or stop the sameness or smoothness of (something)
Every summer periods of cool weather occasionally interrupt the intense heat.
often used as (be) interrupted
The intense heat is occasionally interrupted by periods of cool weather.
a grassy plain interrupted by a lone tree
interruption noun, plural interruptions
(count)
The dynasty lasted several hundred years, with only a few interruptions.
I wish it were possible to watch television without all the commercial interruptions.
frequent/annoying interruptions
(noncount)
She spoke for an hour without interruption.
There shouldn’t be any interruption in/to your phone service.