disruption

noun

Saydis-RUP-shuhn/dɪsˈɹʌpʃən/

Pluraldisruptions

3 meanings of disruption

1
nouncountable or uncountable
An interruption to the normal flow or sequence of something, so that it stops or proceeds abnormally.
The merger caused months of disruption across the company's supply chain.
Air traffic controllers warned of widespread disruption during the strike.
Similarinterruption, disturbance, upheaval, turmoil, chaos
Oppositecontinuity, stability, order
2
nouncountable or uncountable
An ongoing act of disorder that keeps something from functioning in its usual orderly way.
The committee adjourned after repeated disruption from the public gallery.
Years of political disruption left the region without stable government.
Similardisturbance, turmoil, unrest, upheaval, instability
Oppositeorder, stability, calm, peace
3
nouncountable or uncountable
A breaking or bursting apart of something, creating a breach in what was once continuous.
The sudden disruption of the cell membrane released its contents.
Geologists mapped the disruption along the ancient fault line.
Similarrupture, breach, break, fracture, breakage

Practice

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Origin

From Latin disruptionem, from the verb disrumpere. By surface analysis, it can be read as disrupt plus the suffix -ion.