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
Sparsely populated, far from sources of terrestrial light pollution and high above most starlight-scattering clouds and atmospheric turbulence, the Atacama has sprouted multiple world-class observatories to take advantage of what are thought to be Earth’s darkest and clearest night skies.
—
Katherine Helen Laliotis, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2025
In one 2024 survey of affluent older Americans, Boston College researchers found, long-term care ranked fifth among financial worries in retirement, behind stock market turbulence, Social Security cuts and other concerns.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
Despite some market turbulence, overall sentiment among crypto enthusiasts remains largely bullish.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 27 Jan. 2025
For investors, this means that the absence of a spike to ~50, suggests that more turbulence could be on the horizon.
—Bob Haber, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulence 
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Katherine Helen Laliotis, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2025
In one 2024 survey of affluent older Americans, Boston College researchers found, long-term care ranked fifth among financial worries in retirement, behind stock market turbulence, Social Security cuts and other concerns.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
Despite some market turbulence, overall sentiment among crypto enthusiasts remains largely bullish.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 27 Jan. 2025
For investors, this means that the absence of a spike to ~50, suggests that more turbulence could be on the horizon.
—Bob Haber, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for turbulence
Dictionary Entries Near turbulence
Cite this Entry
“Turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulence. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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