An "interrupt" is a signal that temporarily halts the current process or activity, allowing a different task to take precedence. In computing, interrupts are used by the operating system to manage multiple tasks efficiently. For example, when a user presses a key on a keyboard, an interrupt is generated, prompting the computer to respond immediately. In everyday conversation, to "interrupt" means to break into someone else's speech or activity. This can happen when one person speaks over another or when a phone call disrupts a discussion. Interruptions can be unintentional or intentional, and they can affect the flow of communication.