periodic

adjective

pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company remains subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 America has periodic eruptions of political unrest, Ellis argued, but none has come close to a civil war. Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 On top of the periodic rattle of the transit trains and roar of sports fans, there’s the intrusion of illicit activities that keep him awake. Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024 The project, which is designed to include periodic nourishments every five to seven years for 50 years, got off to a rocky start when an original dredge location was delivering more rocks and pebbles than expected and a new borrow location had to be found. Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for periodic 

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of periodic was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near periodic

Cite this Entry

“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

periodic

adjective
pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
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 How to pronounce periodic (audio)
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics

More from Merriam-Webster on periodic

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