alternation

noun

al·​ter·​na·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈnā-shən 

 also  ˌal-

1

a

: the act or process of alternating or causing to alternate

b

: alternating occurrence : succession

2

: inclusive disjunction

3

: the occurrence of different allomorphs or allophones

Examples of alternation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The name effectively captures the essence of the practice--a consistent alternation between two types of drinks over time, creating a visual pattern much like a zebra’s alternating, black-and-white stripes. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Aside from the physical alternations, Kaplow’s verbose script has the actor soliloquizing across large sections of the movie, delivering poetic tributes to love and beauty between snarky takedowns and wry analysis of the state of musical theater. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025

This unnerving alternation is almost more exasperating than the person being consistently one way or the other. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

The upper parts flesh out that alternation between hope and despair. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alternacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin alternātiōn-, alternātiō, from alternāre "to ebb and flow, act in alternation, arrange in alternating order" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at alternate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alternation

• alternation of generations

Rhymes for alternation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

alternation

noun

al·​ter·​na·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈnā-shən 

 also  ˌal-

1

: the act or process of alternating

2

: alternate position or occurrence : succession

3

: regular reversal in direction of flow

an alternation of an electric current