German word

Turbulenz

Pronunciation

IPA/tʊɐ̯buˈlɛnt͡s/

Meaning

  • feminine nounturbulence

Example

Wegen starker Turbulenzen musste das Flugzeug seine Flughöhe senken.

Because of severe turbulence, the plane had to lower its altitude.

Illustration for Turbulenz (turbulence)

More examples

In Windkanälen untersucht man die Turbulenz, um Modelle zu verbessern.

In wind tunnels, turbulence is studied to improve models.

Core concept

A smooth flow breaks into overlapping swirls, making an aircraft jolt or a situation become unsettled.

Common phrases

  • Turbulenz beobachten

    observe turbulence

  • Turbulenztheorie

    turbulence theory

  • auf Turbulenz prüfen

    check for turbulence

Similar words

Strömung: Water or air flowing steadily in a particular direction.
Wirbel: A swirling flow rotating around a central axis.
Böe: A sudden, brief burst of stronger wind.

Definition in German

Starke, unruhige Bewegung von Luft oder Flüssigkeit, besonders in der Atmosphäre, die plötzliche Schwankungen verursacht.

Word origin

Turbulenz entered German through French turbulence from Latin turbulentia, which comes from turbulentus, meaning agitated or disturbed.

Usage tips

  • Turbulenz is feminine, and flight-related German commonly uses the plural Turbulenzen where English often uses the mass noun turbulence.

Other meanings

  • turmoilnoun

Opposites

  • Laminaritätlaminaritynoun

Related words

  • turbulentturbulentadjective
  • Turbulenztheorieturbulence theorynoun

Word lists with this word