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turbulence

[ tur-byuh-luhns ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the quality or state of being turbulent; violent disorder or commotion.
Hydraulics. the haphazard secondary motion caused by eddies within a moving fluid.
Meteorology. irregular motion of the atmosphere, as that indicated by gusts and lulls in the wind.

turbulence

/ ˈtɜːbjʊləns; ˈtɜːbjʊˌlənsɪ /

noun

a state or condition of confusion, movement, or agitation; disorder
meteorol local instability in the atmosphere, oceans, or rivers
turbulent flow in a liquid or gas

turbulence

Chaotic or unstable eddying motion in a fluid. Avoiding excessive turbulence generated around moving objects (such as airplanes), which can make their motion inefficient and difficult to control, is a major factor in aerodynamic design.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of turbulence¹

From the Late Latin word turbulentia, dating back to 1590–1600. See turbulent, -ence

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Recent years have seen turbulence in Scottish education with concerns over falling standards and a failure to tackle the attainment gap.

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The court was shown conditions on the weir on the day of the incident, with Mark Watson KC, prosecuting, telling the court on Tuesday it showed "immense turbulence" of the water.

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Though the dollar and US government bonds are typically considered safe assets in times of market turmoil, they have not escaped the recent turbulence.

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The global stock market has been rocked by turbulence since 2 April, after President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nearly every country.

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Big feelings, turbulence and life-changing dilemmas abound, but most of all the show wants to make its people, and you, happy.

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Related Words

turbotrain turbulent

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