turbulent flow

American  

noun

Hydraulics.

1. the flow of a fluid past an object such that the velocity at any fixed point in the fluid varies irregularly.

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turbulent flow British  

noun

1. flow of a fluid in which its velocity at any point varies rapidly in an irregular manner Compare laminar flow See also streamline flow

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turbulent flow Scientific  

/ tûr′byə-lənt /

1. Movement of a fluid in which subcurrents in the fluid display turbulence, moving in irregular patterns, while the overall flow is in one direction. Turbulent flow is common in nonviscous fluids moving at high velocities.

2. Compare laminar flow

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Etymology

Origin of turbulent flow

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

How does turbulent-flow compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• laminar flow vs. turbulent flow

Example Sentences

However, building on their earlier work, the team showed that fluids move through a pipe in a non-equilibrium phase transition, known as directed percolation, at the transition point between laminar and turbulent flow.

From Science Daily

If the viscosity decreases, the fluid undergoes the transition from laminar to turbulent flow.

From Science Daily

In fluid dynamics, a turbulent flow refers to an irregular flow whereby eddies, swirls and flow instabilities occur.

From Science Daily

The turbulent flow punches a carrot-shaped pipe through the ground, ripping out chunks of deep subsurface rock, including some that are studded with diamonds.

From New York Times

The strengthening fields, in turn, generated their own turbulent flow of stellar material.

From Scientific American