verb
interrupt
ihn-tuh-RUHPT
verb
1
To break in on someone who is speaking or on an ongoing action.
"Please don't interrupt me while I'm on the phone."
"A power cut interrupted the broadcast halfway through."
noun
1
Computing: a signal that makes a computer pause its current task to deal with something more urgent.
"The keyboard sends an interrupt to the processor every time a key is pressed."
How to Use Interrupt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo break into something that is happening or being said.
Common mistake
It's considered rude in most contexts to interrupt someone mid-sentence — pair with "Sorry to interrupt" when you must.
Common pairings
interrupt a conversation
sorry to interrupt
interrupt someone
Word Forms
interrupted past tense, interrupts plural, interrupts singular
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Please don't _____ me while I'm on the phone.
Etymology
From Latin interrumpere, "to break apart," from inter- ("between") plus rumpere ("to break").