nuisance
n.-
1 an annoyance (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatesomething or someone that is annoying or causes a small problem.
a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance. Often used with 'a' when referring to a specific instance.
ExampleIt is a real nuisance when the bus is late and I miss my train.
ExampleThe constant construction noise next door has become a significant nuisance for the residents who work from home during the day.
PitfallIt is a nuisance for me to wait.It is a nuisance to have to wait.While 'nuisance' describes the situation, we usually use it to describe the action itself rather than the effect on a person's feelings.
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2 legal violation (n.) C1 Advanced Technical Formal Lawsomething that is harmful or offensive to the community and can be stopped by the law.
an unlawful interference with a person's use or enjoyment of land, or of a right common to the general public.
ExampleThe factory was sued for being a public nuisance because of the bad smell.
ExampleThe court issued an injunction against the nightclub, ruling that the excessive late-night bass levels constituted a private nuisance to the neighbouring property owners.
UsageOften categorised as either 'public nuisance' or 'private nuisance' in legal contexts.
From Middle English noysaunce, from Anglo-Norman nusaunce, nussance and Old French nuisance, from nuisir (“to harm”), from Latin nocēre. Doublet of nocence and nocency.