oscillation
noun
os·cil·la·tion
ˌä-sə-ˈlā-shən 
1
: the action or state of oscillating
stays can be effectively used to prevent oscillations in new bridges—
D. B. Steinman
D. B. Steinman2
: variation, fluctuation
famines due to excessive storminess and violent oscillations of rain and drought, heat and cold—Ellsworth Huntington
Ellsworth Huntington3
: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum
especially
: a flow periodically changing direction
4
: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other
Each oscillation of the pendulum represents one second.
Examples of oscillation in a Sentence
the continued oscillation of the fan
There has been oscillation between optimism and pessimism among voters.
Recent Examples on the Web
Features including warranty length, oscillation, and bonus accessories like a remote are also taken into consideration.
—Kat Merck, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025
In Alzheimer's patients, however, these oscillations were disrupted and out of phase.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025
As an accompanying university announcement explains, seismologists study the planet’s interior by analyzing these oscillations’ acoustic signatures.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
The manual-wind movement incorporates the watchmaker’s trademark large 15 mm balance wheel that hides a secret poising method that allows for symmetrical oscillations without the use of peripheral weights.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
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Kat Merck, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2025
In Alzheimer's patients, however, these oscillations were disrupted and out of phase.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025
As an accompanying university announcement explains, seismologists study the planet’s interior by analyzing these oscillations’ acoustic signatures.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025
The manual-wind movement incorporates the watchmaker’s trademark large 15 mm balance wheel that hides a secret poising method that allows for symmetrical oscillations without the use of peripheral weights.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Cite this Entry
“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscillation. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oscillation
noun
os·cil·la·tion
ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən
1
: the action or state of oscillating : vibration
3
: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other
Medical Definition
oscillation
noun
os·cil·la·tion
ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən
1
: the action or state of oscillating
2
: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum
especially
: a flow periodically changing direction
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