turbulent flow

noun

, Hydraulics.

1. the flow of a fluid past an object such that the velocity at any fixed point in the fluid varies irregularly.

turbulent flow

noun

1. flow of a fluid in which its velocity at any point varies rapidly in an irregular manner Compare laminar flow See also streamline flow

turbulent flow

/ tûr′byə-lənt /

1. Movement of a fluid in which subcurrents in the fluid display turbulence, moving in irregular patterns, while the overall flow is in one direction. Turbulent flow is common in nonviscous fluids moving at high velocities.
2. Compare laminar flow

Word History and Origins

Origin of turbulent flow¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

However, building on their earlier work, the team showed that fluids move through a pipe in a non-equilibrium phase transition, known as directed percolation, at the transition point between laminar and turbulent flow.

From Science Daily

Puff jams tend to "melt" at the critical transition point from laminar to turbulent flow, giving way to the special statistical behavior of the directed percolation transition.

From Science Daily

If the viscosity decreases, the fluid undergoes the transition from laminar to turbulent flow.

From Science Daily

The degree of laminar or turbulent flow is referred to as the Reynolds number, which is inversely proportional to the viscosity.

From Science Daily

In fluid dynamics, a turbulent flow refers to an irregular flow whereby eddies, swirls and flow instabilities occur.

From Science Daily