1. To interrupt the quiet, rest, peace, or order of; to unsettle: The loud construction work outside the classroom disturbed the students while they were taking their exam.
2. To interfere with; to interrupt; to hinder: Wendy didn't want anyone to disturb her while she was working on her book.
3. To interfere with the arrangement, order, or harmony of; to disarrange: The new cleaning lady disturbed Mrs. Lawson's organization of the dishes in the kitchen cupboard.
4. To perplex; to trouble: to be disquieted by strange behavior: The thriller on TV disturbed Jenny so much that she couldn't get to sleep that night.
5. To cause a disturbance to someone's sleep, rest, etc.: Tom saw the sign on the door: "Do not disturb".