# turbulence

/ˈtɝbjəɫəns/ (US) · /tˈɜːbjʊləns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/turbulence
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. bumpy air during a flight

noun · CEFR B2

the shaky or bumpy movement you feel on a plane when the air is moving unevenly.

For teachers: irregular atmospheric motion caused by eddies and vertical currents, resulting in the jolting of an aircraft.

- The pilot asked everyone to fasten their seatbelts because of some light turbulence ahead.
- The aircraft encountered severe clear-air turbulence over the mountains, causing several minutes of intense buffeting that startled the passengers.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the general phenomenon; countable when referring to specific instances.

### 2. confusion or trouble

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a state of confusion, violence, or lack of order in a situation or society.

For teachers: a state of social, political, or emotional agitation characterized by conflict and lack of stability.

- The country went through a period of political turbulence after the sudden election results.
- Economists predicted a decade of market turbulence as global trade agreements were renegotiated under intense public scrutiny.

Usage: Often used in political or economic contexts to describe periods of change.

### 3. unsteady liquid or gas flow

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the messy, swirling movement of a liquid or gas instead of a smooth flow.

For teachers: fluid motion characterized by chaotic changes in pressure and flow velocity, contrasting with laminar flow.

- The water showed a lot of turbulence as it crashed against the rocks in the river.
- Engineers studied the turbulence created by the new wing design to ensure it would not compromise the fuel efficiency of the prototype.

Usage: Used primarily in physics and engineering contexts.

## Examples

- The plane hit turbulence over the ocean.
- Passengers fastened their seatbelts as the aircraft entered a zone of heavy turbulence.
- The sudden turbulence disrupted the flight path, forcing the pilot to adjust altitude while the cabin crew secured the galley carts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.