in·ter·rupt (ĭn'tə-rŭpt') v.
in·ter·rupt·ed, in·ter·rupt·ing, in·ter·rupts
v.
tr.
To break the continuity or uniformity of: Rain interrupted our baseball game.
To hinder or stop the action or discourse of (someone) by breaking in on: The baby interrupted me while I was on the phone.
v.
intr. To break in on an action or discourse. n.
Computer Science
A signal to a computer that stops the execution of a running program so that another action can be performed.
A circuit that conveys a signal stopping the execution of a running program.
[Middle English interrupten, from Old French interrupte, interrupted, from Latin interruptus, past participle of interrumpere, to break off : inter-, inter- + rumpere, to break; see reup- in Indo-European roots.] in'ter·rupt'i·ble adj., in'ter·rup'tion n., in'ter·rup'tive adj.