disturbance
dih-STUR-buhns
Disturbance (noun) means an interruption of calm or normal order, often noisy or unsettling. Example: “Police were called to a disturbance outside the bar.”
noun
1
An interruption of calm or normal order, often noisy or unsettling.
"Blue No. 1 and yellow No. 6 may also be toxic to some human cells. And as little as 1 milligram of yellow dye No. 5 may cause irritability, restlessness and sleep disturbances for sensitive children."
— Kristen Rogers, Over half of US states are trying to eliminate food dyes. Here’s what you can do now (2025)
"Police were called to a disturbance outside the bar."
"Residents complained about the late-night disturbance coming from the flat upstairs."
"A sudden disturbance in the corridor made the whole class look up from their books."
2
A state of mental or emotional trouble.
"He has a history of emotional disturbance."
"The doctor said the child's sleep problems might point to some emotional disturbance."
"Severe mental disturbance can make it hard for a person to cope with daily life."
How to use disturbance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn interruption, commotion, or upset — of peace, order, or someone's mental state.
Common pairings
public disturbance
cause a disturbance
emotional disturbance
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Word forms
- Plural
- disturbances
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Police were called to a _____ outside the bar.
Etymology
From Old French destorbance, from disturb, following the same Latin root disturbare.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for disturbance
See all rhymes for disturbance →Frequently asked questions
What does “disturbance” mean?
The word “disturbance” means an interruption of calm or normal order, often noisy or unsettling. In plain terms, an interruption, commotion, or upset — of peace, order, or someone's mental state.
How do you pronounce “disturbance”?
“Disturbance” is pronounced dih-STUR-buhns (/dɪˈstɜɹ.bəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “disturbance” in a sentence?
Here is “disturbance” used in a sentence: “Police were called to a disturbance outside the bar.”
What is the opposite of “disturbance”?
The opposite of “disturbance” — its antonyms — are calmness and rumpus.
What part of speech is “disturbance”?
“Disturbance” is a noun.
Where does the word “disturbance” come from?
The word “disturbance” comes from Latin. From Old French destorbance, from disturb, following the same Latin root disturbare.
Is “disturbance” a common word?
“Disturbance” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “disturbance” have?
“Disturbance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an interruption of calm or normal order, often noisy or unsettling.
What is the difference between disturbance and disruption?
Disturbance often refers to an interruption of calm or normal order, frequently involving noise or unrest, such as a "public disturbance." Disruption more broadly describes throwing a process or system into confusion, and is commonly used in business, technology, or organizational contexts rather than public order.
What does disturbance mean in a mental health context?
In mental health contexts, disturbance refers to a state of mental or emotional trouble, as in "emotional disturbance" or "a disturbance of mood." This sense describes an internal, psychological state rather than an external event or noise.
What is a public disturbance?
A public disturbance refers to an event, often noisy or disruptive, that interrupts calm or normal order in a public setting, such as a fight or loud altercation. This usage reflects the core meaning of disturbance as an interruption of normal, peaceful conditions.
