perturbation

noun

per·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌpər-tər-ˈbā-shən 

ˌpər-ˌtər-

1

: the action of perturbing : the state of being perturbed

2

: a disturbance of motion, course, arrangement, or state of equilibrium

especially : a disturbance of the regular and usually elliptical course of motion of a celestial body that is produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion

perturbational

ˌpər-tər-ˈbā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

ˌpər-ˌtər-

adjective

Synonyms

• agita
• agitation
• anxiety
• anxiousness
• apprehension
• apprehensiveness
• care
• concern
• concernment
• disquiet
• disquietude
• fear
• nervosity
• nervousness
• solicitude
• sweat
• unease
• uneasiness
• worry

Examples of perturbation in a Sentence

a perturbation in the planet's orbit

in her perturbation she kept calling her son, a freshman, to see if everything was all right at college

Recent Examples on the Web

Around 183 million years ago, there was a perturbation in the carbon cycle, along with extreme volcanism that belched out massive amounts of methane, sulfur dioxide, and mercury. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 28 May 2024

His research focuses on how marine ecosystems respond to natural and anthropogenic perturbations. —Graham A. J. Worthy, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2018

The researchers realized that quakes sometimes didn’t leave telltale perturbations. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 June 2021

Because of these perturbations, an object behind the lensing galaxy is magnified, although often in a somewhat warped way. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

perturbation

noun

per·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌpərt-ər-ˈbā-shən 

ˌpər-ˌtər-

1

: the action of perturbing

2

: the state of being perturbed

perturbational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective