What does "disrupt" mean?

1. (to interrupt a process) to stop an event or system from continuing as planned. 2. (business innovation) to change an industry by using new technology or ideas that replace old ways of doing things.

How do you use "disrupt"?

This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, such as a process, meeting, or system. Often used in the context of 'disruptive technology' or 'disrupting the market'.

disrupt

US //dɪsˈɹəpt// UK //dɪsɹˈʌpt// dis·rupt

1 to interrupt a process (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to stop an event or system from continuing as planned.

to interrupt the normal progress or activity of something by causing a disturbance.

Example

The heavy snow began to disrupt train services across the country.

Example

Protesters managed to disrupt the conference for several hours, forcing the keynote speaker to wait until security could clear the hall.

Usage

This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, such as a process, meeting, or system.
- organize
- facilitate
2 business innovation (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Computing

to change an industry by using new technology or ideas that replace old ways of doing things.

to radically change an industry or market by introducing a product or service that creates a new value network.

Example

New smartphone apps continue to disrupt the traditional taxi industry.

Example

The startup aimed to disrupt the global logistics sector by introducing an autonomous delivery system that bypassed traditional sorting hubs.

Usage

Often used in the context of 'disruptive technology' or 'disrupting the market'.
- revolutionize
- transform

Origin

Borrowed from Latin disruptus, from disrumpo, commonly dirumpo (“to break or burst asunder”), from dis-, di- (“apart, asunder”) + rumpo (“to break”).