1. (

• turbulence ,
• turbulency

) unstable flow of a liquid or gas ;

2. (

• turbulence ,

) instability in the atmosphere ;

3. (

• turbulence ,
• upheaval ,
• Sturm_und_Drang

) a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally); "the industrial revolution was a period of great turbulence" ;