Interrupt Definition

ĭntə-rŭpt
interrupted, interrupting, interrupts
verb
interrupted, interrupting, interrupts
To break into or in upon (a discussion, train of thought, etc.)
Webster's New World
To make an interruption, esp. in another's speech, action, etc.
Webster's New World
To break in upon (a person) who is speaking, working, etc.; stop or hinder.
Webster's New World
To stop (someone engaged in an activity) by saying or doing something.
The baby interrupted me while I was on the phone.
American Heritage
To make a break in the continuity of; cut off; obstruct.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
A signal to a computer that stops the execution of a running program so that another action can be performed.
American Heritage
A circuit that conveys a signal stopping the execution of a running program.
American Heritage
(computing) An event that causes a computer to temporarily cease what it was doing and attend to a condition.
The interrupt caused the packet handler routine to run.
Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Interrupt

Noun

Singular:
interrupt
Plural:
interrupts

Origin of Interrupt

  • Middle English interrupten from Old French interrupte interrupted from Latin interruptus past participle of interrumpere to break off inter- inter- rumpere to break reup- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin interruptus, from interrumpere (“to break apart, break to pieces, break off, interrupt”), from inter (“between”) + rumpere (“to break”).

    From Wiktionary

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