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

The simulations relied on direct numerical simulation, a method that resolves all relevant turbulence scales without using modeling assumptions. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026

From turbulence zones to noise hotspots, here’s how to pick the quietest, smoothest seat in economy. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026

Soon our worlds collided through The Red & Black, the campus newspaper that captured the trajectory and turbulence of his presidency. —Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 26 Jan. 2026

The flight to gold in moments of market turbulence draws on decades of evidence, according to an analysis co-authored in 2025 by Campbell Harvey, a professor at Duke's Fuqua School of Business who studies commodity prices. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 26 Jan. 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