tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtre-mər 

1

a

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

b

: nervous excitement

2

: a quivering or vibratory motion

especially : a discrete small movement following or preceding a major seismic event

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms

• earthquake
• quake
• shake
• temblor

Examples of tremor in a Sentence

Small tremors were still being felt several days after the earthquake.

I heard a tremor in her voice.

His tremors were caused by the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the past century, the region has recorded 24 earthquakes of magnitude 7 or larger within 250 kilometers of Tuesday's tremor, including a magnitude 7.9 quake in 1950. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Some particularly harmful oils include: Tea Tree oil: Causes lethargy, tremors, and ataxia. —Sara Hansen, The Denver Post, 13 Dec. 2024

Architects and engineers can use it to tweak a structure or account for mutable wind currents and the probability of tremors. —Justin Davidson, Curbed, 12 Dec. 2024

Essential tremor, a neurological disorder that causes involuntary shaking or trembling in certain parts of the body, runs in the Murphy family. —Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tremour, from Anglo-French tremor, from Latin, from tremere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

1

: a trembling or shaking usually caused by weakness or disease

2

: a quivering or vibrating motion

especially : a small movement of the earth before or after an earthquake

Medical Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

tremors of the hands