oscillation

noun

os·​cil·​la·​tion ˌä-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or state of oscillating

… stays can be effectively used to prevent oscillations in new bridges …

—D. B. Steinman

2

: variation, fluctuation

… famines due to excessive storminess and violent oscillations of rain and drought, heat and cold.

—Ellsworth Huntington

3

: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum

especially : a flow periodically changing direction

4

: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other

Each oscillation of the pendulum represents one second.

oscillational

ˌä-sə-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of oscillation

• fluctuation
• change

Examples of oscillation in a Sentence

the continued oscillation of the fan

There has been oscillation between optimism and pessimism among voters.

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to heart rate, calories burned, distance, duration, elevation, and speed, Samsung smartwatches track advanced running form metrics, including asymmetry, contact time, flight time, regularity, vertical oscillation, and stiffness. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026

Five months of oscillation between bombing and negotiation have left Trump with no good options. — semafor.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Pulling off both the oscillation between fast and furious belters and quiet, pastoral lullabies is a tough feat at an outdoor music festival, but the Brits do seem to be made for this sort of thing. — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Rhythm, Not Relentless First in Caldwell’s list of eight body principles is oscillation. — Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oscillation

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

Kids Definition

oscillation

noun

os·​cil·​la·​tion ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or state of oscillating : vibration

2

: variation sense 1, fluctuation

3

: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other

Medical Definition

oscillation

noun

os·​cil·​la·​tion ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or state of oscillating

2

: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum

especially : a flow periodically changing direction