Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Bustling /(bŭs"slĭng)/ · Bus·tling · IPA /ˈbʌs(ə)lɪŋ/ 01 a. Agitated; noisy; tumultuous; characterized by confused activity; as, a bustling crowd. 1. Agitated; noisy; tumultuous; characterized by confused activity; as, a bustling crowd.