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
Flights out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport are facing turbulence even before taking off due to the ongoing government shutdown.
—
Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
The outperformance is a return to form for Apple, whose cash-generating prowess and rock-solid balance sheet have in past bouts of turbulence left it relatively unscathed.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
The Dolphins, meanwhile, enter the matchup struggling at 2-7 and facing organizational turbulence as questions around QB Tua Tagovailoa and head coach Mike McDaniel continue to swirl.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The entire exhaust system is 3D-printed from titanium alloy, enabling complex internal channels that improve airflow and reduce turbulence.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulence
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Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
The outperformance is a return to form for Apple, whose cash-generating prowess and rock-solid balance sheet have in past bouts of turbulence left it relatively unscathed.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
The Dolphins, meanwhile, enter the matchup struggling at 2-7 and facing organizational turbulence as questions around QB Tua Tagovailoa and head coach Mike McDaniel continue to swirl.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The entire exhaust system is 3D-printed from titanium alloy, enabling complex internal channels that improve airflow and reduce turbulence.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulence
Cite this Entry
“Turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulence. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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
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