disturbance
interruption of peace or normal activity
Something that stops things from being quiet or normal, often with noise or movement.
cause a disturbance in [a place]
- The building manager apologized for the disturbance caused by the late-night repairs.
- There was a brief disturbance in the office when the fire alarm went off.
- Please keep the noise down; other guests have complained about the disturbance.
- The dog’s barking caused a disturbance that woke the whole street.
- They finished the work with minimal disturbance to the residents.
- I am sorry for the disturbance during your meeting.
- The loud music made a disturbance in the hotel.
- We finished the repair without much disturbance.
- There was a small disturbance in class when the lights went out.
- The baby’s crying caused a disturbance in the night.
public trouble or disorder
Public trouble or fighting in a place, often so serious that the police come.
a disturbance broke out in [a place]
- Police were called to a disturbance outside the nightclub.
- Several people were arrested after a disturbance broke out at the football match.
- The council is investigating the cause of last night’s disturbance in the town square.
- Neighbors reported a loud disturbance at the apartment around midnight.
- Officers responded to a domestic disturbance at the house on the corner.
- The police came because there was a disturbance in the street.
- A disturbance started at the concert, and people began to shout.
- The news reported a disturbance in the city center.
- The man was arrested after a disturbance in the bar.
- They called the police to stop the disturbance next door.
emotional or mental upset
A strong feeling that your mind or emotions are not calm or healthy.
emotional disturbance in [someone]
- The child showed signs of emotional disturbance after the accident.
- Her nightmares were a symptom of a deeper psychological disturbance.
- The report noted behavioral disturbance in several of the patients.
- He spoke softly, not wanting to cause any further disturbance to her fragile state of mind.
- Years of stress had led to a serious mental disturbance.
- The bad news caused him great disturbance inside.
- She has emotional disturbance after the crash.
- The doctor is worried about mental disturbance in the patient.
- His strange actions show some kind of disturbance in his mind.
- The war left many people with long-term emotional disturbance.
change in a system’s normal state
A change that stops a system, like weather or a signal, from staying normal and steady.
a disturbance in [a system or medium]
- The storm was caused by a large atmospheric disturbance over the ocean.
- Engineers detected a disturbance in the electrical signal.
- The study examined how human activity creates disturbance in forest ecosystems.
- A slight disturbance in the data suggests an error in the sensor.
- Astronomers observed a gravitational disturbance near the edge of the galaxy.
- The satellite showed a big disturbance in the weather system.
- There was a disturbance in the signal, so the picture on the TV was not clear.
- Human actions can cause disturbance in natural areas.
- The machine stopped after a small disturbance in the power line.
- Scientists measured the disturbance in the water after the rock fell in.
- Base: disturbance
- Plural: disturbance, disturbances
atmospheric disturbance
1irregular change in the atmosphere
a change in the air and weather, such as a storm system, that breaks normal conditions
- Meteorologists are tracking an atmospheric disturbance moving across the Atlantic.
- The storm developed from a small atmospheric disturbance over warm water.
cause a disturbance
1to create trouble or disruption
to do something that breaks the peace or normal order in a place, often with noise or trouble
- Several fans were removed from the stadium after they caused a disturbance.
- Please leave the library if you are going to cause a disturbance.
create a disturbance
1to bring about a disruption
to make trouble or noise that stops a place from being quiet or orderly
- They were warned not to create a disturbance during the ceremony.
- Anyone who creates a disturbance will be asked to leave.
disturbance of the peace
1legal term for disrupting public peace
a crime of making too much noise or trouble in public so that normal peace is broken
- He was fined for disturbance of the peace after shouting in the street all night.
- The two men were charged with disturbance of the peace outside the bar.
domestic disturbance
1police call for trouble at home
a situation where there is shouting, fighting, or trouble inside a home, often leading to a call to the police
- Officers responded to a domestic disturbance at an apartment on Pine Street.
- The 911 call reported a possible domestic disturbance in the building.
emotional disturbance
1serious emotional or psychological upset
a serious problem with a person’s emotions or behavior, often needing professional help
- The child was diagnosed with an emotional disturbance and began therapy.
- Long-term emotional disturbance can affect a student’s ability to learn.
public disturbance
1trouble or disorder in public
noise, fighting, or trouble in a public place that breaks normal order
- The city saw a small public disturbance after the match.
- Police are investigating the cause of last night’s public disturbance downtown.