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Definition of interference noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

interference

noun
 
/ˌɪntəˈfɪərəns/
 
/ˌɪntərˈfɪrəns/
[uncountable]Idioms
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  1. the act of getting involved in and trying to influence a situation that should not really involve you, in a way that annoys other people
    • interference (in something) They resent foreign interference in the internal affairs of their country.
    • political interference in legal proceedings
    • interference with something interference with proper medical procedures
    Extra Examples
    • I will not tolerate such gross interference.
    • My boss said she would brook no interference from other departments.
    • The law is designed to prevent interference by local police.
    • They deeply resent interference in their affairs.
    • We will not allow any interference with the normal democratic processes.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • undue
    • unwarranted
    • bureaucratic
    verb + interference
    • avoid
    • eliminate
    • minimize
    preposition
    • without interference
    • interference in
    • interference with
    See full entry
  2. interruption of a radio signal by another signal on a similar wavelength, causing extra noise that is not wantedTopics Physics and chemistryc2, TV, radio and newsc2
  3. Word Originmid 18th cent.: from interfere, on the pattern of words such as difference.
Idioms
run interference (North American English)
  1. (in American football) to clear the way for the player with the ball by blocking players from the other teamTopics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
  2. (informal) to help somebody by dealing with problems for them so that they do not need to deal with them
    • You have plenty of friends that can always run interference for you.
See interference in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee interference in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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