turbulence
noun
tur·bu·lence
ˈtər-byə-lən(t)s 
: the quality or state of being turbulent: such as
a
: great commotion or agitation
emotional turbulence
b
: irregular atmospheric motion especially when characterized by up-and-down currents
c
: departure in a fluid from a smooth flow
Examples of turbulence in a Sentence
The plane hit quite a bit of turbulence during our flight.
A period of turbulence preceded the riots.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ultimately, Plane Jane landed without too much turbulence, leaving fashion queen Q on the tarmac.
—
Stephen Daw, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The aircraft has hit cruising altitude, there’s no turbulence, and you’re settled comfortably in your seat, eager to give the in-flight entertainment your full attention.
—Blane Bachelor, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
Complaints included nausea, motion sickness and chest pain from the turbulence, Bigg said.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024
The strategy has been clearly communicated to the market, with the intent of minimizing financial turbulence.
—Magdy Hassan Fayed, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
In Europe, Airbus is designing radical wing configurations, including one that changes form to counter turbulence, while stateside, Boeing has partnered on NASA’s X-66A experimental plane that relies on trusses to support unusually long and slender wings.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2024
According to Binky Chadha, an equity analyst at Deutsche Bank who predicted the stock rally last year while many were still forecasting economic turbulence, investors’ expectation for where rates will end the year is now the same level that was implied by futures markets in September.
—Joe Rennison, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Those who land on the vulnerable end are handed greater sensitivity to adversity, dominated by emotional turbulence and inflamed autoimmune systems that heighten illness.
—Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
Former President Donald Trump’s namesake social media company stock hits turbulence.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
Stephen Daw, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024
The aircraft has hit cruising altitude, there’s no turbulence, and you’re settled comfortably in your seat, eager to give the in-flight entertainment your full attention.
—Blane Bachelor, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
Complaints included nausea, motion sickness and chest pain from the turbulence, Bigg said.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 30 Mar. 2024
The strategy has been clearly communicated to the market, with the intent of minimizing financial turbulence.
—Magdy Hassan Fayed, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
In Europe, Airbus is designing radical wing configurations, including one that changes form to counter turbulence, while stateside, Boeing has partnered on NASA’s X-66A experimental plane that relies on trusses to support unusually long and slender wings.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2024
According to Binky Chadha, an equity analyst at Deutsche Bank who predicted the stock rally last year while many were still forecasting economic turbulence, investors’ expectation for where rates will end the year is now the same level that was implied by futures markets in September.
—Joe Rennison, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024
Those who land on the vulnerable end are handed greater sensitivity to adversity, dominated by emotional turbulence and inflamed autoimmune systems that heighten illness.
—Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024
Former President Donald Trump’s namesake social media company stock hits turbulence.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'turbulence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near turbulence
Cite this Entry
“Turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulence. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
turbulence
noun
tur·bu·lence
ˈtər-byə-lən(t)s
: the quality or state of being turbulent
especially
: irregular atmospheric motion with up and down currents
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share