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
Developed by researchers from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and 8 Rivers, the system leverages fluctuations in energy demand by using liquid oxygen storage (LOX) to make power plants more cost-effective and efficient.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Would face image values rise and drop with the fluctuations of one’s popularity?
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2025
The fluctuations were determined to be adiabatic and not isocurvature, further validating inflation.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Although the pace of fabric purchasing for collections has slowed because of fluctuations in the global economy, Kesim said that brands are doing this to manage their processes more deliberately.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 Oct. 2025
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Would face image values rise and drop with the fluctuations of one’s popularity?
—Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2025
The fluctuations were determined to be adiabatic and not isocurvature, further validating inflation.
—Big Think, 14 Oct. 2025
Although the pace of fabric purchasing for collections has slowed because of fluctuations in the global economy, Kesim said that brands are doing this to manage their processes more deliberately.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 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 23 Oct. 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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