disturbance
noun
dis·tur·bance
di-ˈstər-bən(t)s 
plural disturbances
1
: the act of disturbing someone or something : the state of being disturbed: such as
a
: an interruption of a state of peace, quiet, or calm
His choler rose in proportion to the surprise, and, perhaps, to the disturbance of his repose.—
Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott… a caller reported loud music causing a disturbance …—Saugus (Massachusetts) Advertiser
Saugus (Massachusetts) AdvertiserThey were charged with disturbance of the peace.
b(1)
: an interference with or alteration in a planned, ordered, or usual procedure, state, or habit
He was still suffering from this sudden disturbance of the quiet routine of his life.—Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan DoyleImpacts inflicted by mining … include … disturbance of wildlife habitat …—Todd Wilkinson
Todd Wilkinson
(2)
: a moving out of place
Bruce was particular about his things and would notice any slight disturbance to his stuff …—Tegan Quin
Tegan QuinThese latter circumstances … may, I think, be accounted for, by the disturbance of the mud at the bottom of the sea …—Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
c
: a departure from a norm or standard : a deviation, disruption, or impairment in form, function, or activity
sleep disturbances
endocrine disturbances
Once identified as having an emotional disturbance with associated behavior problems, it's considered best practice for the child to get a behavior intervention plan …—Patrick Skahil and David Desroches
Patrick Skahil and David DesrochesIdentifying coronavirus' economic effects combined with other major economic disturbances requires accurate data …—Bruce Yandle
Bruce Yandle2
: noisy or violent activity : commotion
Police responding to complaints of a loud disturbance in a parking lot … found 15 to 20 teenagers gathered …—R. Robin McDonald
R. Robin McDonald3
: a local variation from the average or normal wind conditions
Examples of disturbance in a Sentence
She doesn't want any more disturbances while she is studying.
He reacts badly to disturbance of his daily routine.
Fish are able to detect even slight disturbances in the water.
Disturbance of the river's sediment causes cloudy water.
Neighbors called the police to report a disturbance.
They were arrested for creating a disturbance.
The violence that soldiers experience in war can lead to emotional disturbance in later years.
Recent Examples on the Web
Police standoff after murders Lenexa police responded around 8:30 p.m. to the Donovan family home in the 7900 block of Hallet Street for a reported armed disturbance.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2025
The tropical disturbance the National Hurricane Center is currently eyeing is hundreds of miles away from the Caribbean, in a stretch of ocean hurricane scientists call the main development region.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
On July 10, the Los Angeles Police Department received two separate 911 calls reporting a disturbance at the residence of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her musician husband, Thomas Deluca.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 21 July 2025
Forecasters have warned that a former tropical disturbance making its way inland is making Gulf Coast beaches prime for rip currents, a deadly ocean danger that kills dozens every year in the United States.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2025
The tropical disturbance the National Hurricane Center is currently eyeing is hundreds of miles away from the Caribbean, in a stretch of ocean hurricane scientists call the main development region.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
On July 10, the Los Angeles Police Department received two separate 911 calls reporting a disturbance at the residence of American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her musician husband, Thomas Deluca.
—Danielle Bacher, People.com, 21 July 2025
Forecasters have warned that a former tropical disturbance making its way inland is making Gulf Coast beaches prime for rip currents, a deadly ocean danger that kills dozens every year in the United States.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for disturbance
Cite this Entry
“Disturbance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disturbance. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
disturbance
noun
dis·tur·bance
dis-ˈtər-bən(t)s
: a deviation, disruption, or impairment in form, function, or activity
visual disturbances
disturbances of metabolism
Emotional disturbance is one of the 13 disabilities schools use to identify students who may receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, the federal special education law.—Howard Weiss-Tisman, Brattleboro (Vermont) Reformer
Howard Weiss-Tisman, Brattleboro (Vermont) ReformerLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share