periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik 
1
a
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
b
: occurring repeatedly from time to time
2
a
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages, processes, or digits : cyclic
periodic decimals
a periodic vibration
b
: being a function any value of which recurs at regular intervals
3
: expressed in or characterized by periodic sentences
Examples of periodic in a Sentence
He takes the car in for periodic oil changes.
sent out periodic reminders about the office dress code
Recent Examples on the Web
That slows flow, and slowly damages the equipment, leading to the need for periodic maintenance and higher operational costs.
—
Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025
Despite periodic closures for maintenance, the Reflecting Pool remains one of Washington’s most visited and photographed sites, symbolizing national reflection and serving as a backdrop for demonstrations, celebrations and public life on the Mall.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
This perception arises because various possible spatial configurations are entangled with the spatial configurations of an object with some periodic pattern, like the hands of a clock.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Nov. 2025
Metasurfaces boost photon output Earlier this year, the group used periodic poling to generate photons by arranging layers of molybdenum disulfide in alternating directions.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
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Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025
Despite periodic closures for maintenance, the Reflecting Pool remains one of Washington’s most visited and photographed sites, symbolizing national reflection and serving as a backdrop for demonstrations, celebrations and public life on the Mall.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
This perception arises because various possible spatial configurations are entangled with the spatial configurations of an object with some periodic pattern, like the hands of a clock.
—Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 25 Nov. 2025
Metasurfaces boost photon output Earlier this year, the group used periodic poling to generate photons by arranging layers of molybdenum disulfide in alternating directions.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
1
: occurring at regular intervals
2
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages
periodic vibrations
Medical Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics
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