commotion

Commotion refers to a state of confused and often loud disturbance among people, typically accompanied by movement and noise. It can describe a sudden burst of activity at an event, a crowding or dispersal, or a broader period of unrest within a community. The term implies agitation and social interaction rather than a specific illegal act.

Etymology and history: The word derives from Latin commotio, meaning agitation or disturbance, from commovere, to move together. In medical history, “commotion of the brain” was once used to describe concussion, but this usage is now largely obsolete.

Contexts and usage: Commotion commonly arises around stadiums, protests, markets, or during emergencies when people react to a trigger such as news or an accident. Related terms include uproar (sustained vocal opposition), hubbub (ongoing noise), and turmoil (broader disorder).

Notes: As a neutral noun, commotion describes social dynamics of disturbance without moral judgment. It is common to say that something “caused a commotion” or that a crowd “stirred up a commotion.”