What does "interference" mean?
The act of interfering with something, or something that interferes.
Interference
/ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of interfering with something, or something that interferes.
- Grammar: interference is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: disturbance, hindrance, noise, amplitude.
- Useful contrasts: academic freedom, chanal, electromagnetic compatibility concept.
- Usage evidence: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
How to use "interference"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "interference" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "interference" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "interference" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "interference" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "interference" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "disturbance" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "interference", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of interfering with something, or something that interferes. countable, uncountable
"Somewhat impeded by constant political interference of one sort or another, British Railways are nevertheless pressing ahead with a mammoth modernisation programme; [...]"
- 2 (American football) blocking a player's path with your body wordnet
- 3 The illegal obstruction of an opponent in some ball games. countable, uncountable
"They were glued to the TV, as the referee called out a fifteen yard penalty for interference."
- 4 the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding wordnet
- 5 An effect caused by the superposition of two systems of waves. countable, uncountable
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome wordnet
- 7 A distortion on a broadcast signal due to atmospheric or other effects. countable, uncountable
"They wanted to watch the game on TV, but there was too much interference to even make out the score on the tiny screen."
- 8 a policy of intervening in the affairs of other countries wordnet
- 9 In United States patent law, an inter partes proceeding to determine the priority issues of multiple patent applications; a priority contest. US, countable, uncountable
- 10 electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication wordnet
- 11 The interruption of the line between an attacked piece and its defender by sacrificially interposing a piece. countable, uncountable
- 12 A negative or inappropriate language transfer. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To interfere. nonstandard
"In economic terms, the two production processes can be simultaneously implemented without interferencing between themselves."
Antonyms
Example
"No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "interference"?
Common synonyms include: disturbance, hindrance, noise, amplitude, antagonism, antinode.
How do you use "interference" in a sentence?
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
How do you pronounce "interference"?
Pronounced /ˌɪntəɹˈfɪɹɪns/.
Etymology
From interfere + -ence. The sense in physics was likely introduced by English polymath Thomas Young, which he used as early as 1801 in a paper in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.