disruption

American  

[dis-ruhp-shuhn] / dɪsˈrʌp ʃən /

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.

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Other Word Forms

• predisruption noun

Etymology

Origin of disruption

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

Example Sentences

The world is currently facing the largest oil-supply disruption in history, according to the International Energy Agency.

From MarketWatch

Contingency plans have been put in place by hospital trusts, but some disruption appears inevitable.

From BBC

Geographically isolated and with only two working oil refineries, Australia is heavily exposed to disruptions in global fuel supply and imports most of its petrol.

From Barron's

The federation said its sector is exposed to supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and rising energy costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Loans to software companies thought to be vulnerable to disruption from artificial-intelligence technology are under an intense spotlight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• confusion
• disorder
• disturbance