perturbation

noun

per·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌpər-tər-ˈbā-shən 

ˌpər-ˌtər-

1

: the action of perturbing : the state of being perturbed

2

: a disturbance of motion, course, arrangement, or state of equilibrium

especially : a disturbance of the regular and usually elliptical course of motion of a celestial body that is produced by some force additional to that which causes its regular motion

perturbational

ˌpər-tər-ˈbā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

ˌpər-ˌtər-

adjective

Synonyms

• agita
• agitation
• anxiety
• anxiousness
• apprehension
• apprehensiveness
• care
• concern
• concernment
• disquiet
• disquietude
• fear
• nervosity
• nervousness
• solicitude
• sweat
• unease
• uneasiness
• worry

Examples of perturbation in a Sentence

a perturbation in the planet's orbit

in her perturbation she kept calling her son, a freshman, to see if everything was all right at college

Recent Examples on the Web

The rise of quantum sensors, which can detect delicate perturbations in the environment at the atomic level, promises even greater sensitivity and accuracy. —IEEE Spectrum, 16 Dec. 2024

His team also discovered that pigeon’s feathers could filter out a lot of turbulence perturbations on their own. —Ars Technica, 27 Nov. 2024

However, perturbations from the sun's gravity will ultimately break this temporary gravitational dance, sending 2024 PT5 back to its home in the Arjuna belt. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Relative genotoxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inferred from free energy perturbation approaches. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

perturbation

noun

per·​tur·​ba·​tion ˌpərt-ər-ˈbā-shən 

ˌpər-ˌtər-

1

: the action of perturbing

2

: the state of being perturbed

perturbational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective