disruption
A break or problem that stops something from working or happening normally.
An interruption or disturbance that prevents something from continuing or operating in its usual, smooth way.
A big change in a market or industry, when new ideas or technology replace older ways of doing business.
A major, often rapid change in an industry or market, usually caused by new technology or business models that displace established products, services, or companies.
Serious damage or change to how something physical, like cells, a system, or a process, is built or works.
A breaking, damaging, or severe disturbance of the normal structure or functioning of something physical, such as cells, tissues, systems, or physical processes.
- Base: disruption
- Plural: disruption, disruptions
business disruption
1interruption of business operations
A break or problem that stops normal business work or processes.
- The company took out insurance to cover business disruption after natural disasters.
- Remote working helped reduce business disruption during the pandemic.
cause disruption
1create an interruption or problem
To make a situation where things cannot continue or work normally.
- Heavy snow is expected to cause disruption on the roads tonight.
- We hope the building work will not cause too much disruption for our neighbors.
climate disruption
1serious disturbance to climate
Strong changes in usual weather patterns, mainly because of human actions like burning fossil fuels.
- Scientists warn that continued emissions will lead to severe climate disruption.
- Communities are already facing climate disruption in the form of extreme storms and droughts.
digital disruption
1change caused by digital tech
Big changes in business or daily life that happen because of new digital technology.
- Many companies are struggling to keep up with digital disruption.
- Digital disruption has transformed how people watch TV and listen to music.
disruption to
1interruption affecting something
An interruption that affects a specific thing, such as work, travel, or school.
- We aim to keep disruption to students to a minimum.
- Roadworks will cause some disruption to traffic this week.
major disruption
1very serious interruption
A very big and serious break in the normal way things happen.
- The strike is likely to cause major disruption to public transport.
- Flooding has caused major disruption across the region.
market disruption
1big change in a market
A big change in a market, usually when new ideas or technology replace old ways of selling or buying.
- Online platforms have caused significant market disruption in the taxi industry.
- Investors are watching for signs of market disruption from new competitors.
minimal disruption
1very little interruption
Very small or almost no break in the normal way things happen.
- Repairs will be carried out with minimal disruption to staff.
- The new system was introduced with minimal disruption to customers.
service disruption
1interruption of a service
A time when a service, like internet, water, or trains, does not work as it normally does.
- Customers may experience temporary service disruption during maintenance.
- The airline apologized for the service disruption caused by technical problems.
travel disruption
1problems affecting journeys
Problems that stop people from making their trips normally, or that cause long delays.
- Bad weather is expected to cause travel disruption over the weekend.
- Strikes at the airport led to serious travel disruption for thousands of passengers.