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
Perhaps, skeptics have suggested, the observed fluctuations in allele frequencies are just routine oscillations of variants in the gene pool rather than proof positive of natural selection acting to adapt the human body to environmental challenges.
—Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Starting with the oscillation from high to low tariffs coupled with the 90 day pause, not to mention the trade war between the U.S. and China, the events of the last few weeks have left the business world reeling.
—Daniel Webber, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
The entire assembly sits on a mechanical base that provides 350 degrees of oscillation movement.
—PC Magazine, 15 May 2025
The frequency of oscillations in the tubes, and therefore the robot’s speed, was regulated by adjusting the amount of air pumped into each tube.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
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Kermit Pattison, Scientific American, 20 May 2025
Starting with the oscillation from high to low tariffs coupled with the 90 day pause, not to mention the trade war between the U.S. and China, the events of the last few weeks have left the business world reeling.
—Daniel Webber, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
The entire assembly sits on a mechanical base that provides 350 degrees of oscillation movement.
—PC Magazine, 15 May 2025
The frequency of oscillations in the tubes, and therefore the robot’s speed, was regulated by adjusting the amount of air pumped into each tube.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Cite this Entry
“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscillation. Accessed 17 Jun. 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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