turbulence
TUR-byuh-luhns
Turbulence (noun) means Violent or unpredictable movement in air or fluid. Example: “The plane shook as it hit a patch of turbulence over the mountains.”
noun
1
Violent or unpredictable movement in air or fluid.
"The plane shook as it hit a patch of turbulence over the mountains."
2
A general state of disorder, upheaval, or instability.
"The company survived years of financial turbulence before turning a profit."
How to use turbulence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRough, chaotic movement — used literally for bumpy flights and figuratively for unstable situations like markets or relationships.
Common pairings
air turbulence
economic turbulence
hit turbulence
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Word forms
- Plural
- turbulences
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The plane shook as it hit a patch of _____ over the mountains.
Etymology
From Late Latin turbulentia, "trouble" or "disquiet," built on turbulent.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for turbulence
See all rhymes for turbulence →Frequently asked questions
What does “turbulence” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “turbulence”?
“Turbulence” is pronounced TUR-byuh-luhns (/ˈtɝ.bjə.ləns/ in IPA).
How do you use “turbulence” in a sentence?
Here is “turbulence” used in a sentence: “The plane shook as it hit a patch of turbulence over the mountains.”
What part of speech is “turbulence”?
“Turbulence” is a noun.
Where does the word “turbulence” come from?
The word “turbulence” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin turbulentia, "trouble" or "disquiet," built on turbulent.
Is “turbulence” a common word?
“Turbulence” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “turbulence” have?
“Turbulence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: violent or unpredictable movement in air or fluid.
What is the difference between turbulence and turmoil?
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.
What causes turbulence on an airplane?
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.
Can turbulence be used figuratively, outside weather or flying?
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.
