periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik 
1
a
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
b
: occurring repeatedly from time to time
2
a
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages, processes, or digits : cyclic
periodic decimals
a periodic vibration
b
: being a function any value of which recurs at regular intervals
3
: expressed in or characterized by periodic sentences
Examples of periodic in a Sentence
He takes the car in for periodic oil changes.
sent out periodic reminders about the office dress code
Recent Examples on the Web
Whenever Iran suffers one of its periodic spasms of unrest, as happened at the end of 2022 following the death of a young Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody, protesters criticize Iran’s overseas entanglements.
—
Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
While these are part of a periodic programme of reviews — Newcastle tend to have departmental evaluations after most transfer windows — there is greater importance attached to this round given the key infrastructure questions.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Conduct periodic check-ins and surveys to gauge employee satisfaction and effectiveness.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Micro-retirements have become a trend on TikTok, SWNS noted, with Gen Z workers taking periodic breaks from their careers to pursue other interests.
—Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
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Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
While these are part of a periodic programme of reviews — Newcastle tend to have departmental evaluations after most transfer windows — there is greater importance attached to this round given the key infrastructure questions.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Conduct periodic check-ins and surveys to gauge employee satisfaction and effectiveness.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Micro-retirements have become a trend on TikTok, SWNS noted, with Gen Z workers taking periodic breaks from their careers to pursue other interests.
—Maureen MacKey, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
1
: occurring at regular intervals
2
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages
periodic vibrations
Medical Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics
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