turbulence

noun

tur·​bu·​lence ˈtər-byə-lən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being turbulent: such as

a

: great commotion or agitation

emotional turbulence

b

: irregular atmospheric motion especially when characterized by up-and-down currents

c

: departure in a fluid from a smooth flow

Examples of turbulence in a Sentence

The plane hit quite a bit of turbulence during our flight.

A period of turbulence preceded the riots.

Recent Examples on the Web

On a boat — not to mention a reality-TV show — attachments develop and fall apart with unusual urgency; watching Kat and Gen felt like watching the main friend duo of a coming-of-age movie ride out the turbulence of growing up in 2x speed. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Pilots navigating the island also face heavy turbulence, low-lying sea fog, sudden microclimates and strong updrafts and downdrafts that can push a small aircraft off course. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Flohr, with a fleet of almost 200 planes and an order for up to 160 new Bombardier jets over the next decade, doesn’t see any turbulence on the horizon. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Air, too, is a fluid, its turbulence produced by competing currents and changing temperatures. — Stephen Ornes, Quanta Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing turbulence

• clear-air turbulence

Kids Definition

turbulence

noun

tur·​bu·​lence ˈtər-byə-lən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being turbulent

especially : irregular atmospheric motion with up and down currents