vibratory

adjective

vi·​bra·​to·​ry ˈvī-brə-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

: consisting of, capable of, or causing vibration or oscillation

2

: characterized by vibration

Examples of vibratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If another caterpillar wanders into their territory, these tiny critters start furiously drumming their heads, shaking their bodies and scraping their butts against the leaf—a series of complex vibratory behaviors to signal that their leaf tip is off-limits. — Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2025

In some cases, extra heart sounds like a third (S3) or fourth (S4) sound or brief, vibratory sounds (heart murmurs) may be present. — Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024

Glory be to god for this quiet, cheap hotel room: only music the mini-fridge’s vibratory drone, creaky plumbing groaning through the walls. — Virginia Konchan, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024

Voluntary muscle contractions were thought to cause the vibratory component of purring. — Jorge Garay, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for vibratory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• feudatory
• gustatory

Kids Definition

vibratory

adjective

vi·​bra·​to·​ry ˈvī-brə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

: consisting of, capable of, or causing vibration

Medical Definition

vibratory

adjective

vi·​bra·​to·​ry ˈvī-brə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

1

: of, consisting in, capable of, or causing vibration or oscillation

cutaneous vibratory sensation

2

: characterized by vibration