What does "disturbance" mean?

1. (noise or trouble) a noisy situation or a fight that happens in public. 2. (an interruption) the act of stopping someone from concentrating or stopping a process from working normally. 3. (mental health) a medical condition where the mind or body does not work in a healthy way.

disturbance

US //dɪˈstɝbəns// UK //dɪstˈɜːbəns// dis·tur·bance

1 noise or trouble (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a noisy situation or a fight that happens in public.

a public outbreak of disorder or a noisy commotion that interrupts peace.

Example

The police were called to the street to deal with a small disturbance.

Example

Local residents complained about the frequent disturbances caused by the nightclub's patrons late at night.
- commotion
- uproar
- fracas
- peace
- quiet
2 an interruption (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of stopping someone from concentrating or stopping a process from working normally.

the interruption of a settled state, process, or concentration.

Example

I need to work in the library where there are no disturbances.

Example

The construction work caused a significant disturbance to the local wildlife's nesting patterns.
- interruption
- disruption
- continuity

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3 mental health (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Formal Medicine

a medical condition where the mind or body does not work in a healthy way.

a clinical interruption of normal physical or mental functions.

Example

The doctor noticed a slight sleep disturbance in the patient's records.

Example

Early intervention is crucial when a child exhibits a persistent emotional disturbance that interferes with their education.
- disorder
- upset
- malady
- health
- stability

Origin

From Middle English disturbaunce, from Old French destorbance, destourbance, from destourber (“disturb”), from Latin disturbō. By surface analysis, disturb + -ance.