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

fluctuational

ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-sh(ə-)nəl 

-chü-ˈā-

adjective

Synonyms

• change
• flux
• inconstancy
• oscillation

Examples of fluctuation in a Sentence

political instability that resulted in wild fluctuations in the overseas stock markets

Recent Examples on the Web

Avoid investing these funds in volatile assets, as market fluctuations can jeopardize their availability during a crisis. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

In its earliest days, the publication’s core content revolved around cotton pricing fluctuations, and the site featured a cotton futures ticker. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2024

My favorite results of 2024 are the measurements of the mass fluctuations from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope and from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instruments. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Other expenses decreased to $0.1 million from $0.5 million, mainly due to exchange rate fluctuations. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical 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)

fluctuate

ˈflək-chə-ˌwāt 

verb

fluctuated; fluctuating