n. the act of disturbing something or someone; setting something in motion

n. 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"

n. electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication

n. activity that is an intrusion or interruption; "he looked around for the source of the disturbance"; "there was a disturbance of neural function"

n. (psychiatry) a psychological disorder of thought or emotion; a more neutral term than mental illness

n. an unhappy and worried mental state; "there was too much anger and disturbance"; "she didn't realize the upset she caused me"