1. A violent or noisy commotion: "We had to shout to be heard over the tumult of the blaring music."
2. A psychological or emotional upheaval or agitation: "His mind was in a series of tumults revealing his emotional disturbances."
3. A violent and noisy commotion or disturbance of a crowd or mob; an uproar: "The tumult reached its height during the politician's speech."
4. A general outbreak, riot, uprising, or other disorder: "The tumult moved toward the embassy."
5. Highly distressing agitation of the mind or feeling; a turbulent mental or emotional disturbance.
6. Etymology: from Old French tumulte (in the 12th century), from Latin tumultus, "commotion, disturbance"; related to tumere, "to be excited, to swell".