turbulence

American  

[tur-byuh-luhns] / ˈtɜr byə ləns /

Sometimes turbulency

noun

1. the quality or state of being turbulent; violent disorder or commotion.

2. Hydraulics. the haphazard secondary motion caused by eddies within a moving fluid.

3. Meteorology. irregular motion of the atmosphere, as that indicated by gusts and lulls in the wind.

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turbulence British  

/ ˈtɜːbjʊləns, ˈtɜːbjʊˌlənsɪ /

noun

1. a state or condition of confusion, movement, or agitation; disorder

2. meteorol local instability in the atmosphere, oceans, or rivers

3. turbulent flow in a liquid or gas

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turbulence Scientific  

/ tûr′byə-ləns /

1. Chaotic or unstable eddying motion in a fluid. Avoiding excessive turbulence generated around moving objects (such as airplanes), which can make their motion inefficient and difficult to control, is a major factor in aerodynamic design.

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Etymology

Origin of turbulence

From the Late Latin word turbulentia, dating back to 1590–1600. See turbulent, -ence

Example Sentences

In private credit, firms buy harder-to-sell assets for longer periods of time, with the understanding their clients will be willing to stomach some turbulence in the middle.

From The Wall Street Journal

When currents spread out, they heat the atmosphere, stir up winds, and create turbulence that can affect satellites traveling through that region.

From Science Daily

Investors remain interested in backing secondaries, despite recent turbulence in the private-credit industry.

From The Wall Street Journal

This can happen for several reasons, including mechanical vibrations, atmospheric turbulence, and/or imperfections in alignment systems.

From Science Daily

Despite weeks of turbulence ahead of the polls, voting day passed without major unrest and the country has so far responded to the results with relative calm.

From Barron's

Related Words

• conflict
• confusion
• disturbance
• instability
• tumult
• turmoil
• unrest