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

Shortly after the quake struck at 9:19 p.m. local time, the Japanese Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for the Miyazaki prefecture, where the tremor was centered, and the nearby Kochi prefecture. —Astha Rajvanshi, NBC News, 13 Jan. 2025

Other causes include faulty electric equipment igniting, a sudden surge in demand or earthquake tremors. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 11 Jan. 2025

The common symptoms of POTS include light-headedness, fainting, brain fog, fatigue, headache, blurred vision, tremors, and nausea. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025

Unintentional weight loss, shakes and tremors, heart palpitations, and heat intolerance are among some of the telltale signs of hyperthyroidism, says Dr. Erik Alexander, MD, the chief of the thyroid section at Brigham and Women's Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025

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