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

Synonyms of periodic

• frequent
• regular
• repeated
• periodical
• constant

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

Routine blood work as a preventive measure typically begins around age 20, when most adults should have periodic baseline screenings (like a CBC and cholesterol check) during an annual physical. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

El Nino is a periodic warming of water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean that can affect global weather patterns for months, according to Paul Pastelok, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026

Bruce Meyer, the union’s lead negotiator who was promoted from deputy director to interim director following the ouster of Tony Clark earlier this year, has held periodic press conferences to discuss incremental proposal exchanges. — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

California is one of only a few states that requires independent inspections and periodic reports on detention conditions. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing periodic

• periodic acid
• periodic law
• periodic sentence
• periodic table

Rhymes for periodic

• anodic
• helladic
• melodic
• prosodic
• rhapsodic
• spasmodic
• antispasmodic
• aperiodic
• episodic
• modoc
• sodic
• photoperiodic

Kids 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