- the act of disturbing something or someone

- setting something in motion

- a noisy fight

- activity that is an intrusion or interruption
"he looked around for the source of the disturbance"
"there was a disturbance of neural function"

- electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication

- a disorderly outburst or tumult
"they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused"

- (psychiatry) a psychological disorder of thought or emotion

- a more neutral term than mental illness

- an unhappy and worried mental state
"there was too much anger and disturbance"
"she didn''t realize the upset she caused me"

1. An interruption of a state of peace or quiet; derangement of the regular course of things; disquiet; disorder; as, a disturbance of religious exercises; a disturbance of the galvanic current.

2. Confusion of the mind; agitation of the feelings; perplexity; uneasiness.

"Any man . . . in a state of disturbance and irritation." -- Burke.

3. Violent agitation in the body politic; public commotion; tumult.

"The disturbance was made to support a general accusation against the province." -- Bancroft.

4. (Law) The hindering or disquieting of a person in the lawful and peaceable enjoyment of his right; the interruption of a right; as, the disturbance of a franchise, of common, of ways, and the like. Blackstone.

Syn. -- Tumult; brawl; commotion; turmoil; uproar; hubbub; disorder; derangement; confusion; agitation; perturbation; annoyance.