turbulent flow

noun Hydraulics.

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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Compare streamline flow.

Origin of turbulent flow

First recorded in 1920–25

Words nearby turbulent flow

turbosupercharger, turbot, turbotrain, turbulence, turbulent, turbulent flow, Turco-, Turcoman, Turcophile, Turcophobe, Turcot syndrome
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for turbulent flow

turbulent flow

noun

flow of a fluid in which its velocity at any point varies rapidly in an irregular mannerCompare laminar flow See also streamline flow
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for turbulent flow

turbulent flow
[ tûr′byə-lənt ]

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. Compare laminar flow.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.