(~s)
1.
A ~ is a noise made by a lot of people all talking or shouting at the same time. (WRITTEN)
There was a ~ of excited conversation from over a thousand people.
N-VAR: oft N of n
2.
You can describe a situation where there is great confusion or excitement as a ~.
In all the ~ over the election, one might be excused for missing yesterday’s announcement.
N-SING: also no det