undulation

noun

un·​du·​la·​tion ˌən-jə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌən-dyə-,

ˌən-də-

1

a

: a rising and falling in waves

b

: a wavelike motion to and fro in a fluid or elastic medium propagated continuously among its particles but with little or no permanent translation of the particles in the direction of the propagation : vibration

2

: the pulsation caused by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in unison

3

: a wavy appearance, outline, or form : waviness

Examples of undulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The entrance delivers an object lesson in undulations, with arched openings, a round Emilia mirror from Soho Home, and a spherical O’Connor chandelier from Visual Comfort. —Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Architectural Digest, 27 Sep. 2024

Thanks to its hinged design, the frame's angular rotation under the waves generates power with every undulation of the surrounding water. —New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2024

Marine undulations from a polyshade or textile cover make this sequence: few steps away from the shoreline, there was a ranch covered by a polyshade cloth that protected from the sun. —Photovogue, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2024

The shock absorber and spring manage weight and smaller cracks in the road, but larger undulations do result in some rafting effects. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 9 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

undulation

noun

un·​du·​la·​tion ˌən-jə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌən-d(y)ə-

1

: the action of undulating

2

: a wavy appearance or form : waviness