fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən 
-chü-ˈā-
plural fluctuations
: an act or instance of fluctuating : an irregular shifting back and forth or up and down in the level, strength, or value of something
Small fluctuations in prices are to be expected.
Some fluctuation in real estate values is not unusual.
North American species in general, having contended with blazing July days and frosty September nights as they evolved, are much more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than tropical species are.—
Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan FranzenExamples of fluctuation in a Sentence
political instability that resulted in wild fluctuations in the overseas stock markets
Recent Examples on the Web
Same-store sales is an important restaurant industry metric used to smooth out the impact of store closures and openings, as well as currency fluctuations.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
That means that is may be that the fluctuations themselves, not just high pressure, also pose a threat.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
In other words, the unique vitality of our homegrown production ensures a healthy, resilient, and dynamic environment for international shoots, with consistently high activity levels regardless of market fluctuations.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Bensoussan and collaborators found that even small hormonal fluctuations can disrupt any of these elements, producing an adverse effect on vocal function.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
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Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
That means that is may be that the fluctuations themselves, not just high pressure, also pose a threat.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
In other words, the unique vitality of our homegrown production ensures a healthy, resilient, and dynamic environment for international shoots, with consistently high activity levels regardless of market fluctuations.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 28 Oct. 2025
Bensoussan and collaborators found that even small hormonal fluctuations can disrupt any of these elements, producing an adverse effect on vocal function.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluctuation. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən
1
: a motion like that of waves
especially
: the wavelike motion of a fluid collected in a natural or artificial cavity of the body observed by palpation or percussion
2
a
: a slight and nonheritable variation
especially
: such a variation occurring in response to environmental factors
b
: recurrent and often more or less cyclic alteration (as of form, size, or color of a bodily part)
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