Interrupt signals may be issued in response to hardware or software events. These are classified as hardware interrupts or software interrupts, respectively. For any particular processor, the number of interrupt types is limited by the architecture.
In digital computers, an interrupt (sometimes referred to as a trap) is a request for the processor to interrupt currently executing code (when permitted), so that the event can be processed in a timely manner.
The meaning of INTERRUPT is to stop or hinder by breaking in. How to use interrupt in a sentence.
To interrupt someone is to interfere in their activity, disrupt their conversation, or to disturb their peace and quiet. Imagine you're watching reruns of Jeopardy! and your mom interrupts you, threatening to turn off the TV unless you take the trash out.
INTERRUPT definition: 1. to stop a person from speaking for a short period by something you say or do: 2. to stop…. Learn more.
- to cause or make a break in the continuity or uniformity of (a course, process, condition, etc.). 2. to break off or cause to cease, as in the middle of something: He interrupted his work to answer the bell. 3. to stop (a person) in the midst of something, esp. by an interjected remark.
Interrupt, discontinue, suspend imply breaking off something temporarily or permanently. Interrupt may have either meaning: to interrupt a meeting. To discontinue is to stop or leave off, often permanently: to discontinue a building program.
If you interrupt someone who is speaking, you say or do something that causes them to stop. Turkin tapped him on the shoulder. "Sorry to interrupt, Colonel."