Turbulence is the chaotic, uneven movement of air or liquid that causes shaking or oscillation, particularly noticeable during a flight.
In the literal sense (physics, aviation):
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In an airplane, turbulence is felt as it suddenly starts to shake, toss, or sway sideways.
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It's not a malfunction — just air currents moving restlessly, like a turbulent sea.
Turbulence is something that can make your flight a little less comfortable. Imagine you are floating in a river: the water is calm in some parts, and suddenly a turbulent current starts. Similarly in the sky: the airplane usually flies through “calm air,” but sometimes it enters a zone where air currents begin to swirl and mix. That is turbulence.
Turbulence is more than just shaking in the sky because it makes the airplane bounce or sway a bit in the air. Although the sensation is not always pleasant, it is actually not dangerous at all. Airplanes are designed to handle such “unpredictable rivers in the sky” with ease.
So, when you hear from the flight attendant to fasten your seatbelts because turbulence is approaching, don’t worry too much. It’s like a small wave at sea — it may rock a bit for a moment, but it’s part of the journey. So now, knowing what turbulence is, you can calmly enjoy the view from the window while the airplane gently navigates through the air “storms.”
In a figurative sense: Turbulence can also mean a period of instability or change in society, politics, or the economy:
“The country is experiencing economic turbulence”