# disruption

/dɪsˈɹəpʃən/ (US) · /dɪsɹˈʌpʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/disruption
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. interruption of a process

noun · CEFR B2

a situation where an activity or system is stopped from continuing normally.

For teachers: the act of preventing a system, process, or event from continuing as usual or as expected.

- The heavy snow caused a major disruption to the local train service this morning.
- The sudden strike by air traffic controllers led to widespread disruption across European flight networks, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

### 2. disorder or trouble

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

noisy or confused behavior that stops something from happening quietly or correctly.

For teachers: a state of disorder or a continuing act of social or institutional disturbance.

- The protesters were arrested for causing a disruption during the mayor's speech.
- The administration implemented strict security measures to prevent any further disruption of the academic proceedings by activist groups.

### 3. business innovation

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a big change in an industry caused by a new product or way of doing things.

For teachers: the process by which a smaller company with fewer resources is able to successfully challenge established incumbent businesses.

- The rise of streaming services caused a huge disruption in the traditional film industry.
- Economists argue that digital disruption is inevitable in sectors where legacy players fail to adapt to shifting consumer preferences and technological advancements.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'digital disruption'.

## Examples

- The heavy snow caused a major disruption to train services.
- The sudden change in leadership caused significant disruption to the company's daily operations and long-term planning.
- Technological disruption in the publishing industry has forced traditional media outlets to reconsider their subscription models in order to remain competitive in a digital-first landscape.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.