undulation
noun
un·du·la·tion
ˌən-jə-ˈlā-shən 
ˌən-dyə-,
ˌən-də-
1
a
: a rising and falling in waves
b
: a wavelike motion to and fro in a fluid or elastic medium propagated continuously among its particles but with little or no permanent translation of the particles in the direction of the propagation : vibration
2
: the pulsation caused by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in unison
3
: a wavy appearance, outline, or form : waviness
Examples of undulation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And then there are all the private undulations within that chapter in history.
—
James Wood, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
At the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park, an eruption of lupine and rhododendron typically runs from mid-May through June and blankets the area in purple undulations.
—Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
But if the exterior is all rugged rock and sharp Moderne shapes, the interior is a soft undulation of smooth curves, pale pastels and playful artworks, including sculptures by Louise Bourgeois and Annie Morris, moody photos by Rieko Tamura and bright wall art in the style of Matisse and Chagall.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2023
Especially with this one, because of all the tonal undulations.
—Carita Rizzo, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024
Watching the show feels like watching a snake, its gliding undulations mostly moving side to side but actually propelling the story forward.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024
Tens of millions frequently reside along the rain-snow line, which must react to its shifts and its undulations multiple times every winter.
—Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2024
Neugebauer understands that the layer Jacobs-Jenkins is adding to the conventional undulations of melodrama — a family with damning secrets, a haunted estate on the brink of loss, a plot full of gaspy twists — is to turn its stock cutouts into people, catastrophic failings and all.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2023
Charting the backscatter data, the Rutgers University PhD candidate traced the undulations of migrating marine life.
—WIRED, 9 Dec. 2023
James Wood, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
At the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park, an eruption of lupine and rhododendron typically runs from mid-May through June and blankets the area in purple undulations.
—Krista Simmons and J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024
But if the exterior is all rugged rock and sharp Moderne shapes, the interior is a soft undulation of smooth curves, pale pastels and playful artworks, including sculptures by Louise Bourgeois and Annie Morris, moody photos by Rieko Tamura and bright wall art in the style of Matisse and Chagall.
—Lucy Alexander, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2023
Especially with this one, because of all the tonal undulations.
—Carita Rizzo, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Feb. 2024
Watching the show feels like watching a snake, its gliding undulations mostly moving side to side but actually propelling the story forward.
—Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024
Tens of millions frequently reside along the rain-snow line, which must react to its shifts and its undulations multiple times every winter.
—Jeff Halverson, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2024
Neugebauer understands that the layer Jacobs-Jenkins is adding to the conventional undulations of melodrama — a family with damning secrets, a haunted estate on the brink of loss, a plot full of gaspy twists — is to turn its stock cutouts into people, catastrophic failings and all.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Dec. 2023
Charting the backscatter data, the Rutgers University PhD candidate traced the undulations of migrating marine life.
—WIRED, 9 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undulation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near undulation
Cite this Entry
“Undulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undulation. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
undulation
noun
un·du·la·tion
ˌən-jə-ˈlā-shən
ˌən-d(y)ə-
1
: the action of undulating
2
: a wavy appearance or form : waviness
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share