tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtre-mər 

1

a

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

b

: nervous excitement

2

: a quivering or vibratory motion

especially : a discrete small movement following or preceding a major seismic event

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms

• earthquake
• quake
• shake
• temblor

Examples of tremor in a Sentence

Small tremors were still being felt several days after the earthquake.

I heard a tremor in her voice.

His tremors were caused by the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a lecture in 2012, the eminent physicist Freeman Dyson considered (opens a new tab) gravitational waves from the sun, where the violent churning of matter inside the star should constantly send out mild tremors in space-time. —Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024

Last week was a particularly active period for the volcano, with over 1,000 thousand minutes of tremors being detected each day, and huge plumes of ash being spewed out of the mountain. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024

Both leading candidates have spoken out against the proposal, which has already sent tremors through global markets. —Nayara Batschke and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024

Historically sensitive to geopolitical tremors, oil prices have resisted long-term spikes, reined in by the specter of waning global demand and potential supply increases. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tremour, from Anglo-French tremor, from Latin, from tremere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

1

: a trembling or shaking usually caused by weakness or disease

2

: a quivering or vibrating motion

especially : a small movement of the earth before or after an earthquake

Medical Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

tremors of the hands