disturbance

Universal Words noun 1 [U,C,usually sing.] actions that make you stop what you are doing, or that upset the normal state that sth is in; the act of disturbing sb/sth or the fact of being disturbed: The building work is creating constant noise, dust and disturbance. * a disturbance in the usual pattern of events * the disturbance of the local wildlife by tourists 2 [C] a situation in which people behave violently in a public place: serious disturbances in the streets * He was charged with causing a disturbance after the game. 3 [U,C] a state in which sb's mind or a function of the body is upset and not working normally: emotional disturbance