turbulence

The word “turbulence” means violent or unpredictable movement in air or fluid. In plain terms, rough, chaotic movement — used literally for bumpy flights and figuratively for unstable situations like markets or relationships.

“Turbulence” is pronounced TUR-byuh-luhns (/ˈtɝ.bjə.ləns/ in IPA).

Here is “turbulence” used in a sentence: “The plane shook as it hit a patch of turbulence over the mountains.”

“Turbulence” is a noun.

The word “turbulence” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin turbulentia, "trouble" or "disquiet," built on turbulent.

“Turbulence” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Turbulence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: violent or unpredictable movement in air or fluid.

Turbulence often describes violent, unpredictable movement in a physical medium like air or water, while turmoil more commonly describes emotional or social confusion. Both can be used figuratively for a state of disorder, but turbulence is the more common choice for describing shaky flights or rough currents.

Turbulence in this sense refers to violent or unpredictable movement in the air, which planes pass through as unstable air currents. It is a normal, if uncomfortable, part of flying through disturbed air and does not itself describe the cause, only the resulting motion.

Yes, turbulence commonly describes a general state of disorder, upheaval, or instability, as in political or economic turbulence. This figurative sense extends the idea of violent, unpredictable movement to describe unsettled situations rather than physical motion.