Interrupt: meaning, definitions and examples

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interrupt

 

[ ˌɪntəˈrʌpt ]

Context #1

conversation

To stop someone from speaking by saying or doing something, or to cause a break or pause in an activity or process.

Synonyms

break in, cut in, disrupt, disturb, interfere

Examples of usage

  • He kept interrupting me while I was trying to explain.
  • Sorry to interrupt, but I have a question.
  • The sudden noise interrupted my concentration.
  • We were interrupted by a phone call.
  • Please don't interrupt me when I'm talking.
Context #2

technology

A signal that temporarily stops the execution of a program in a computer system in order to perform a special function.

Synonyms

event, exception, signal

Examples of usage

  • The interrupt handler deals with hardware interrupts.
  • Software interrupts are used for system calls.

Translations

Translations of the word "interrupt" in other languages:

🇵🇹 interromper

🇮🇳 विघ्न करना

🇩🇪 unterbrechen

🇮🇩 mengganggu

🇺🇦 переривати

🇵🇱 przerywać

🇯🇵 中断する (ちゅうだんする)

🇫🇷 interrompre

🇪🇸 interrumpir

🇹🇷 kesmek

🇰🇷 중단하다

🇸🇦 قاطع

🇨🇿 přerušit

🇸🇰 prerušiť

🇨🇳 打断 (dǎ duàn)

🇸🇮 prekiniti

🇮🇸 trufla

🇰🇿 үзілу

🇬🇪 შეწყვეტა

🇦🇿 kəsmək

🇲🇽 interrumpir

Word origin

The word 'interrupt' originated in the late 14th century from the Latin word 'interruptus', past participle of 'interrumpere', which means 'to break apart, break off'. The word has been used in English to signify a break or disturbance in continuity, both in conversation and in technology, for centuries.

See also: interrupted, interrupter, interrupting, interruption, interruptively, uninterrupted, uninterruptedly, uninterruptedness.