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
Design production and hiring plans with elasticity, so capacity can ramp up or down in response to regulatory fluctuations.
—Claudio Saes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
The fluctuations are what make watching the 162-game grind all the more fascinating and make those able to stave them off feel greater than mortal.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 June 2025
Advertisement Rogoff, who predicted the fall of the U.S. dollar in his book, argues that its dip in value is part of its typical fluctuation.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 June 2025
The exact rarity and GIA grading of the 30-carat pink diamond would determine the fluctuation in the price tag.
—Vogue, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Claudio Saes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
The fluctuations are what make watching the 162-game grind all the more fascinating and make those able to stave them off feel greater than mortal.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 26 June 2025
Advertisement Rogoff, who predicted the fall of the U.S. dollar in his book, argues that its dip in value is part of its typical fluctuation.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 26 June 2025
The exact rarity and GIA grading of the 30-carat pink diamond would determine the fluctuation in the price tag.
—Vogue, 25 June 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 4 Jul. 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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share