interference

Meanings

1. 1noununcountabledisapproving

   The act of getting involved in something that is not your business, or of getting in the way of what others are doing.

   Grammar: No plural and no a: too much interference.

   Patterns

   • interference in something
   • interference with something

   The coach resented the owner's interference in team selection.

   Parents should avoid interference in their children's friendships.

   Any interference with the witness is a crime.

2. 2noununcountabletechnical

   Unwanted signals or noise that spoil the quality of radio, television, or phone transmission.

   Grammar: Used without a: there is interference on the line.

   Patterns

   • interference on something
   • radio interference

   Interference from the microwave made the Wi-Fi drop.

   There was so much interference on the radio that we lost the song.

   Thick walls cause interference with the phone signal.

3. 3noununcountablephysics

   In physics, the effect produced when two or more waves meet and combine, strengthening or weakening each other.

   Grammar: Used as a science term without an article.

   Patterns

   • interference between waves

   Interference between light waves creates bands of light and dark.

   Noise-canceling headphones use destructive interference.

   The experiment shows interference in water ripples.

4. 4noununcountablesport

   In sport, an illegal act of blocking or obstructing an opponent or the ball.

   Grammar: Common in rules: pass interference in American football.

   Patterns

   • pass interference

   The referee called pass interference on the defender.

   A tennis player may appeal if there is interference from a spectator.

   The goal was disallowed for interference with the goalkeeper.

Common combinations

outside interference

The board wants to work without outside interference.

political interference

Judges must be free from political interference.

radio interference

Radio interference disrupted the broadcast.

interference in

The treaty prohibits interference in another country's affairs.

cause interference

Metal objects can cause interference with the signal.

run interference

My assistant runs interference so I can work in peace.

Synonyms and how they differ

meddling

Meddling is more informal and sounds more critical, suggesting unwelcome involvement in small matters.

intrusion

Intrusion stresses entering a place or private area uninvited, not necessarily changing the outcome.

disruption

Disruption focuses on the damage to a process rather than who caused it.

static

Static is only used for noise on a signal and is less general than interference.

Opposites

Word family

interfere verb

to get involved or get in the way

interfering adjective

tending to meddle in other people's affairs

interferer noun

someone who interferes, rare

interferometer noun

an instrument that measures using wave interference

Commonly confused: interference or intervention?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “interference”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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