1. a ghost or spirit that is believed to cause physical disturbances such as loud noises and the movement of objects

Examples

• The family claimed a poltergeist was responsible for the dishes flying off the shelves.
• Strange noises in the attic made them wonder if they had a poltergeist.
• The movie featured a poltergeist that terrorized a suburban household.
• Investigators could not explain the poltergeist activity reported in the old mansion.
• Books would mysteriously fall from the shelves, leading to rumors of a poltergeist.
• The poltergeist seemed to target the teenage daughter specifically.