turbulent flow
noun
: a fluid flow in which the velocity at a given point varies erratically in magnitude and direction compare laminar flow
Examples of turbulent flow in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some swim-current systems can create uneven or turbulent flow, which can make swimming feel unnatural.
—
New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2026
This is largely due to the fact that the blades transition between laminar and turbulent flow.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Laminar flow, the opposite of turbulent flow, refers to the smooth, orderly movement of air over a surface.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Sometimes the broadening appeared before turbulence could form, and in many cases the shapes of the lines were too symmetrical to match turbulent flows, according to the paper.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Instead, the drama, staged with a quiet turbulent flow by Benny Safdie, keeps throwing us curveballs, like the fact that the brawls all take place in Tokyo, home of the Pride Fighting Championships.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Unlike the grooves of a normal road wheel, its surface is almost completely smooth except for small indents, patterned differently between front and back wheel, which are designed to just slightly roughen the air, encouraging the right level of turbulent flow.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025
However, even with modern supercomputers, a direct and accurate simulation of all but the simplest turbulent flows remains out of reach, and a complete understanding of turbulence has eluded researchers for some 200 years.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
For example, some phenomena may be inherently complex—for example, the turbulent flow of fast-moving water or natural language—and simple underlying equations may not emerge.
—Stephan Zhang, IEEE Spectrum, 9 May 2022
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New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2026
This is largely due to the fact that the blades transition between laminar and turbulent flow.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
Laminar flow, the opposite of turbulent flow, refers to the smooth, orderly movement of air over a surface.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Sometimes the broadening appeared before turbulence could form, and in many cases the shapes of the lines were too symmetrical to match turbulent flows, according to the paper.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Instead, the drama, staged with a quiet turbulent flow by Benny Safdie, keeps throwing us curveballs, like the fact that the brawls all take place in Tokyo, home of the Pride Fighting Championships.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2025
Unlike the grooves of a normal road wheel, its surface is almost completely smooth except for small indents, patterned differently between front and back wheel, which are designed to just slightly roughen the air, encouraging the right level of turbulent flow.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 July 2025
However, even with modern supercomputers, a direct and accurate simulation of all but the simplest turbulent flows remains out of reach, and a complete understanding of turbulence has eluded researchers for some 200 years.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 6 Feb. 2025
For example, some phenomena may be inherently complex—for example, the turbulent flow of fast-moving water or natural language—and simple underlying equations may not emerge.
—Stephan Zhang, IEEE Spectrum, 9 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Turbulent flow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulent%20flow. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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