Turbulent

Pronunciation

Origin

From Latin turbulentus, from turba ("disorder, tumult").

Full definition of turbulent

Adjective

1. Violently disturbed or agitated; tempestuous, tumultuous.
   It is dangerous to sail in turbulent seas.
2. Being in, or causing, disturbance or unrest.
• 2013-08-10, Lexington, Keeping the mighty honest, The Washington Post's proprietor through those turbulent Watergate days, Katharine Graham, held a double place in Washington’s hierarchy: at once regal Georgetown hostess and scrappy newshound, ready to hold the establishment to account. That is a very American position.
3. The mid-19th century was a turbulent time in American history.

Derived terms

• turbulently
• turbulent flow

Related terms

• disturb
• perturb
• trouble
• turbid
• turbine
• turbulence