Turbulence is rough, chaotic movement in air or water. When an airplane hits turbulence, it bounces and shakes as it flies through unstable air currents, like driving a car over a bumpy road. The turbulent air makes the plane jolt suddenly, which is why flight attendants tell everyone to buckle their seatbelts.

Turbulence happens when smooth airflow breaks into swirling, unpredictable patterns. Think of the difference between water flowing smoothly from a faucet versus the churning, foamy water at the bottom of a waterfall. That chaotic motion is turbulence. Rivers become turbulent where they flow over rocks. Ocean waves create turbulence as they crash against the shore.

The word also describes any situation that's unstable or chaotic. A company going through turbulent times might be dealing with sudden problems and uncertainty. A turbulent period in history is one marked by conflict and rapid change. When someone has a turbulent relationship with a friend, it means their friendship goes through lots of ups and downs.

The opposite of turbulence is smooth or calm conditions, whether you're talking about air, water, or life.