disruption

[ dis-ruhp-shuhn ]

noun

1. forcible separation or division into parts.
2. a disrupted condition:

   After the coup, the country was in disruption.

3. Business. a radical change in an industry, business strategy, etc., especially involving the introduction of a new product or service that creates a new market:

   Globalization and the rapid advance of technology are major causes of business disruption.

Other Words From

• predis·ruption noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disruption¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin disruptiōn-, stem of disruptiō; equivalent to disrupt + -ion

Example Sentences

In 2017, his magazine, American Renaissance, under an anonymous byline, ran an article titled “What Does it Mean for Whites if Climate Change is Real?” which asked, “Are we preparing for agricultural disruption in some areas and new opportunities in others? Do we have the legal framework to deal with ‘climate refugees’?”

From Salon

The hills of northern Scotland will see regular snow showers with the potential for some localised disruption where it settles.

From BBC

“This was a pivotal and successful year for The Walt Disney Co., and thanks to the significant progress we’ve made, we have emerged from a period of considerable challenges and disruption well positioned for growth and optimistic about our future,” Chief Executive Bob Iger said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, Trump’s crackdown on immigrants has the potential to create chaos across the nation and economic disruption across many industries that rely on immigrants — particularly in California, home to about 1.8 million immigrants without legal status.

From Los Angeles Times

BBC director general Tim Davie subsequently apologised to licence fee payers for the disruption, calling it a "difficult day" for the corporation.

From BBC

Related Words

• confusion
• disorder
• disturbance