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
The House’s periodic descent into politically motivated censure votes, however, could propel them to make a change next year.
—
Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026
The agreement also adds the Rancho Cordova police chief to the city’s leadership team and requires periodic updates to the City Council, Runner said.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
In their letter, the senators cited the approaching El Niño — a periodic Pacific warming that disrupts weather patterns and supercharges marine heat waves — as evidence the cuts are particularly ill timed.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
The framework also unlocked another powerful tool, Floquet engineering, a technique that uses periodic driving to manipulate interactions.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodic
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Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 June 2026
The agreement also adds the Rancho Cordova police chief to the city’s leadership team and requires periodic updates to the City Council, Runner said.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
In their letter, the senators cited the approaching El Niño — a periodic Pacific warming that disrupts weather patterns and supercharges marine heat waves — as evidence the cuts are particularly ill timed.
—ABC News, 15 June 2026
The framework also unlocked another powerful tool, Floquet engineering, a technique that uses periodic driving to manipulate interactions.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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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