əˈfɹeɪ kəˈməʊ.ʃən kəˈmoʊ.ʃən dɪsˈɹʌpʃən dɪsˈɹʌpʃən dɪˈstɜːbn̩s dɪˈstɝbn̩s ˈflʌtɚ ˈflʌtə ˈhuːˌhɑː ˌɪntəɹˈfiɹɨns kəˈfʌfəl kɚˈfʌfəl nɔɪz ˈɹʌfəl ˈʌpsɛt the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion a noisy fight activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption the term ‘distress’ connotes some degree of perturbation and emotional upset 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