disturbance

UK: /dɪˈstɜː^rbəns/ US: /dɪˈstɝbəns/ ,(di stûr′bəns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•turb•ance /dɪˈstɜrbəns/   n. 

1. [uncountable] an act of disturbing or the state of being disturbed:
   You can work here without disturbance.
2. a riot, outbreak of public disorder, or fighting:
   [countable] There were disturbances in that region before full-scale fighting broke out.
See -turb-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•turb•ance  (di stûr′bəns), n. 

1. the act of disturbing.
2. the state of being disturbed.
3. an instance of this;
   commotion.
4. something that disturbs.
5. an outbreak of disorder;
   a breach of public peace:
   Political disturbances shook the city.
6. Meteorology any cyclonic storm or low-pressure area, usually a small one.
7. Geology a crustal movement of moderate intensity, somewhat restricted in area.

• Anglo-French, Old French. See disturb, -ance
• Middle English disto(u)rbance 1250–1300

Synonyms

• 2. perturbation, confusion. See agitation. 
• 5. confusion, tumult, riot. See disorder. 

Antonyms

• 3. order.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disturbance / dɪˈstɜːbəns/ noun

1. the act of disturbing or the state of being disturbed
2. an interruption or intrusion
3. an unruly outburst or tumult
4. an interference with another's rights
5. a minor movement of the earth causing a small earthquake
6. a small depression
7. a psychological or emotional problem