vibration

vi·bra·tion

noun \vī-ˈbrā-shən\

Definition of VIBRATION

1

a : a periodic motion of the particles of an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite directions from the position of equilibrium when that equilibrium has been disturbed (as when a stretched cord produces musical tones or molecules in the air transmit sounds to the ear)

b : the action of vibrating : the state of being vibrated or in vibratory motion: as (1) : oscillation (2) : a quivering or trembling motion : quiver

2

: an instance of vibration

3

: vacillation in opinion or action : wavering

4

a : a characteristic emanation, aura, or spirit that infuses or vitalizes someone or something and that can be instinctively sensed or experienced —often used in plural

b : a distinctive usually emotional atmosphere capable of being sensed —usually used in plural

— vi·bra·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— vi·bra·tion·less \-shən-ləs\ adjective

Examples of VIBRATION

1. trying to reduce engine vibration
2. <the vibration of the floor caused by thundering feet in the hallway>

First Known Use of VIBRATION

1635

Related to VIBRATION

Synonyms

jiggling, oscillation, quivering, shaking, shivering, shuddering, trembling, twitching

Related Words

juddering [chiefly British], quaking, rocking; jiggle, palpitation, quiver, shake, shiver, shudder, tremble, tremor, twitch

Rhymes with VIBRATION

aeration, Alsatian, carnation, castration, causation, cessation, cetacean, citation, Claymation, cognation, collation, conflation, C ration, creation, cremation, crenation, Croatian, crustacean, dalmatian, damnation, deflation, delation, dictation, dilation, donation, earth station, elation, Eurasian, filtration, fixation, flirtation, flotation, formation, foundation, frustration, gas station, gestation, gradation, gustation, guttation, gyration, hydration, inflation, lactation, legation, libation, location, lunation, lustration, luxation, migration, mutation, narration, negation, notation, oblation, oration, outstation, ovation, palmation, palpation, plantation, potation, predation, privation, probation, pronation, proration, prostration, pulsation, punctation, pupation, purgation, relation, rogation, rotation, salvation, sedation, sensation, serration, space station, stagflation, stagnation, starvation, striation, substation, summation, tarnation, taxation, temptation, translation, truncation, vacation, vexation, vocation, way station, workstation

vi·bra·tion

noun \vī-ˈbrā-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of VIBRATION

1

a : a periodic motion of the particles of an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite directions from the position of equilibrium when that equilibrium has been disturbed (as when particles of air transmit sounds to the ear) b : the action of vibrating : the state of being vibrated or in vibratory motion

2

: an instance of vibration

—vi·brate \ˈvī-ˌbrāt\ (audio pronunciation) verb, vi·brat·ed; vi·brat·ing

—vi·bra·tion·al \-shnəl, -shən-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

vibration

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Periodic back-and-forth motion (see periodic motion) of the particles of an elastic body or medium. It is usually a result of the displacement of a body from an equilibrium condition, followed by the body's response to the forces that tend to restore equilibrium. Free vibrations occur when a system is disturbed but immediately allowed to move without restraint, as when a weight suspended by a spring is pulled down and then released. Forced vibrations occur when a system is continuously driven by an external agency, as when a child's swing is pushed on each downswing. Because all systems are subject to friction, they are also subject to damping. In the example of free vibration, damping would cause the amplitudes of the spring's vibrations to diminish until eventually the system came to rest. See also resonance.