What does interruptible mean?
Interruptible means capable of being interrupted, or temporarily stopped, paused, or suspended. The word is especially useful in technical and workplace contexts, where an activity may continue after an interruption or be halted before completion. For example, an interruptible download can be paused and resumed, while an interruptible power supply can be shut down in an orderly manner under certain conditions. The adjective generally focuses on the possibility of interruption rather than on whether interruption is desirable or likely. It contrasts with uninterruptible and non-interruptible, which describe something designed to continue without being stopped or disturbed. Although often applied to processes and software operations, interruptible can also describe meetings, work, communication, or other activities that may be temporarily suspended.
adjectiveCapable of being interrupted; able to be stopped, paused, or suspended temporarily.
- Capable of being interrupted, stopped, paused, or suspended temporarily.
"The download is interruptible and can be resumed later."
"The recording is interruptible, so the user can pause it whenever necessary."
"Some long-running processes are interruptible, allowing an administrator to stop them safely."
An interruptible task is designed to yield: it can pause without losing the work already completed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does interruptible come from?
The word is an English adjective formed from interrupt, with the suffix -ible meaning “capable of being.” Interrupt ultimately comes from Latin interrumpere, formed from inter-, meaning “between,” and rumpere, meaning “to break.” Related English words include disrupt, erupt, and rupture, all of which reflect the same Latin root associated with breaking or rupturing.
Related word forms
How interruptible is actually used
This adjective is most common in technical, formal, and workplace contexts. It usually describes a process, task, activity, period, or power source that can be interrupted without necessarily being permanently terminated.
Easily confused with interruptible
An interruptible activity can be paused or stopped temporarily, whereas an uninterruptible activity or process continues without interruption.