alternation

noun

al·​ter·​na·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈnā-shən 

also ˌal-

1

a

: the act or process of alternating or causing to alternate

b

: alternating occurrence : succession

2

: inclusive disjunction

3

: the occurrence of different allomorphs or allophones

Examples of alternation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the plus side, the macro structure of the book—the pace of the plot, the tick-tock alternation between present and past in each chapter—was sound. — Literary Hub, 18 June 2026

Conductors often fetishize the opening bars of this opera, their squirmy alternation of silence and piquant dissonance. — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026

But the presence of the chlorines and an odd number of atoms mean that this alternation gets disrupted, leading to a double bond and some unpaired electrons floating around. — ArsTechnica, 11 Mar. 2026

Cinema’s illusion of 3D is made using stereoscopy—two slightly different images often projected in rapid alternation, one for the left eye and one for the right. — Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alternacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin alternātiōn-, alternātiō, from alternāre "to ebb and flow, act in alternation, arrange in alternating order" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at alternate entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing alternation

• alternation of generations

Rhymes for alternation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

alternation

noun

al·​ter·​na·​tion ˌȯl-tər-ˈnā-shən 

also ˌal-

1

: the act or process of alternating

2

: alternate position or occurrence : succession

3

: regular reversal in direction of flow

an alternation of an electric current