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

While China, North Korea and Russia are often featured in the news thanks to threats and turbulence, Japan maintains a calmer course of sustained stability and expanding international involvement and leadership. —Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Shannon entropy gives neuroscientists a way to measure the informational turbulence of the brain across time. —Conor Feehly, Big Think, 10 Mar. 2026

What happened overnight Escalating hostilities in the Middle East and widening stress on oil shipping and infrastructure have global investors braced for more turbulence when trading resumes. —Angus Whitley, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026

This operational overreach risks catastrophic mechanical failure, where the combined effects of high-velocity turbulence and vibrational fatigue can trigger a systemic rupture. —Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing turbulence

• clear-air turbulence

Kids 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