disruption
interruption of normal activity
A break or problem that stops something from working or happening normally.
disruption to [something]
- The snow caused severe disruption to train services across the country.
- We apologize for any disruption to your work during the installation.
- Roadworks will cause some disruption to traffic this weekend.
- The power cut led to widespread disruption in the city.
- The company introduced new software without much disruption to daily operations.
- The storm caused disruption to flights at the airport.
- We want to repair the office with minimal disruption to staff.
- There was a big disruption to the class when the fire alarm rang.
- The bus strike will cause disruption to many people’s journeys.
industry change from innovation
A big change in a market or industry, when new ideas or technology replace older ways of doing business.
disruption in [a market/industry]
- Streaming platforms caused major disruption in the television and film industries.
- The report warns that artificial intelligence will bring significant disruption to the job market.
- Startups are driving rapid disruption in the banking sector through mobile-only services.
- Many traditional retailers struggled to survive the disruption caused by online shopping.
- Investors are looking for companies that can lead, rather than suffer from, digital disruption.
- Online shopping has created big disruption in the retail industry.
- New apps are causing disruption in the taxi market.
- Many workers fear disruption to their jobs from robots and AI.
- The company wants to be a leader of disruption, not a victim of it.
physical breakdown or disturbance
Serious damage or change to how something physical, like cells, a system, or a process, is built or works.
disruption of [a structure/system/process]
- The drug can cause disruption of normal hormone levels in the body.
- Pollution has led to serious disruption of the local ecosystem.
- Scientists are studying how trauma results in the disruption of brain connections.
- The reactor was shut down to prevent a catastrophic plasma disruption.
- Pandemic-related factory closures caused major disruption of the global supply chain.
- The illness caused disruption of his normal brain function.
- Plastic waste creates disruption in ocean ecosystems.
- The company fears disruption of the supply chain if the port closes.
- In medicine, disruption of cells can be very dangerous.
- 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.