fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən 
-chü-ˈā-
plural fluctuations
: an act or instance of fluctuating : an irregular shifting back and forth or up and down in the level, strength, or value of something
Small fluctuations in prices are to be expected.
Some fluctuation in real estate values is not unusual.
North American species in general, having contended with blazing July days and frosty September nights as they evolved, are much more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than tropical species are.—
Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan Franzen
Examples of fluctuation in a Sentence
political instability that resulted in wild fluctuations in the overseas stock markets
Recent Examples on the Web
To help balance out the effects of currency fluctuations, consider diversifying your investments across different asset classes denominated in different currencies.
—Tom Zachystal, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
In financial media, Forbes and Bloomberg have whole teams dedicated to reporting on the day-to-day fluctuations of the world’s wealthiest people.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
The fluctuation highlights the current unstable nature of the crypto market, posing both opportunities and pitfalls for investors.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2025
Debunking 3 Common Climate Change Myths Carbon Source Hotspots
Researchers upscaled the CO2 data, which combined individual site-level readings with climate, soil, and vegetation records to create living maps that showed the fluctuations of atmospheric carbon.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fluctuation 
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Tom Zachystal, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
In financial media, Forbes and Bloomberg have whole teams dedicated to reporting on the day-to-day fluctuations of the world’s wealthiest people.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
The fluctuation highlights the current unstable nature of the crypto market, posing both opportunities and pitfalls for investors.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2025
Debunking 3 Common Climate Change Myths Carbon Source Hotspots
Researchers upscaled the CO2 data, which combined individual site-level readings with climate, soil, and vegetation records to create living maps that showed the fluctuations of atmospheric carbon.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fluctuation
Dictionary Entries Near fluctuation
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluctuation. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən
1
: a motion like that of waves
especially
: the wavelike motion of a fluid collected in a natural or artificial cavity of the body observed by palpation or percussion
2
a
: a slight and nonheritable variation
especially
: such a variation occurring in response to environmental factors
b
: recurrent and often more or less cyclic alteration (as of form, size, or color of a bodily part)
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