disturbance

Everyday

1. Something that interrupts you or stops you resting or working, like a noise. tree →
2. Trouble or fighting in a public place: The police were called to a disturbance. tree →
3. A change or upset in something that was calm or normal: a disturbance in the weather; a sleep disturbance. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and news a «disturbance» is noise or trouble; in science a weather disturbance can grow into a storm; in safety lessons you report a disturbance to an adult. Phrases: «cause a disturbance», «a disturbance in the night», «sorry for the disturbance».

Examples

• Sorry for the disturbance, but can I borrow a pen? tree →
• The barking dog caused a disturbance at night. tree →
• Police were called to a disturbance outside the shop. tree →
• Building work is a big disturbance for the neighbours. tree →
• Forecasters watched a tropical disturbance over the sea. tree →
• We worked in silence without any disturbance. tree →
• From words they came to blows, and the women, frightened at the disturbance, pelted Tephany with insulting names. tree →

Note

From the verb «disturb». Spelled -ance, not -ence. Countable (a disturbance) or uncountable (without disturbance). Formal; in casual talk people say «a noise» or «trouble».