disturbance

American  

[dih-stur-buhns] / dɪˈstɜr bəns /

noun

1. the act of disturbing. disturbing.

2. the state of being disturbed. disturbed.

   Synonyms:

   confusion, perturbation

3. an instance of this; commotion.

   Antonyms:

   order

4. something that disturbs.

5. an outbreak of disorder; a breach of public peace.

   Political disturbances shook the city.

   Synonyms:

   riot, tumult, confusion

6. Meteorology. any cyclonic storm or low-pressure area, usually a small one.

7. Geology. a crustal movement of moderate intensity, somewhat restricted in area.

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disturbance British  

/ dɪˈstɜːbəns /

noun

1. the act of disturbing or the state of being disturbed

2. an interruption or intrusion

3. an unruly outburst or tumult

4. law an interference with another's rights

5. geology

   1. a minor movement of the earth causing a small earthquake

   2. a minor mountain-building event

6. meteorol a small depression

7. psychiatry a mental or emotional disorder

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Related Words

See agitation. See disorder.

Other Word Forms

• nondisturbance noun
• predisturbance noun

Etymology

Origin of disturbance

1250–1300; Middle English disto ( u ) rbance < Anglo-French, Old French. See disturb, -ance

Explanation

A disturbance is a noisy commotion that causes a hubbub or interruption. It can also be a worried mental state. In hotels, people put up "Do not disturb" signs when they want to be left alone. That's a good clue to what a disturbance is: something, usually noisy or rowdy, that bothers people. An audience member yelling during a piano concert would be a disturbance. Disturbances can also be interruptions, like a disturbance in cable service when the cable goes out. Disturbances can also be mental: if you're worried or anxious, that's a type of internal disturbance.

Example Sentences

"Sea mines and other explosive devices can cause acoustic disturbance impacting sea mammals and other animals, and blast damage to natural undersea structures such as reefs," Weir said.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

This disturbance relaxes the usual Raman selection rules and produces distinctive low-frequency Raman scattering.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2026

Festival organisers said the proposed limit was "an upper band, not a target" and there was "no scenario" in which levels would be intentionally increased to cause unreasonable disturbance.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

But sometimes a disturbance can cause the polar vortex to stretch like a rubber band.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

“You are three men of sin, whom destiny has belched up ’pon this island,” Cymbeline crowed, rolling her eyes at the disturbance.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• brawl
• confusion
• disorder
• disruption
• eruption
• explosion
• fracas
• interruption
• riot
• shock
• storm
• tremor
• turmoil
• upheaval
• uprising
• violence