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
The win halted a recent slide in the Argentine peso after weeks of financial market turbulence.
—
John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
His government has also posted a fiscal surplus and pushed through broad deregulation measures — a dramatic reversal after years of economic turbulence.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The storm’s intensity has made these flights especially dangerous, as crews have encountered severe turbulence within the hurricane’s eyewall.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The winds were so strong inside the eyewall of the storm that a NOAA Hurricane Hunter plane had to head back early after experiencing severe turbulence.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulence
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John Towfighi, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
His government has also posted a fiscal surplus and pushed through broad deregulation measures — a dramatic reversal after years of economic turbulence.
—Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2025
The storm’s intensity has made these flights especially dangerous, as crews have encountered severe turbulence within the hurricane’s eyewall.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The winds were so strong inside the eyewall of the storm that a NOAA Hurricane Hunter plane had to head back early after experiencing severe turbulence.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for turbulence
Cite this Entry
“Turbulence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/turbulence. Accessed 29 Oct. 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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