frequency
noun
fre·quen·cy
ˈfrē-kwən(t)-sē 
plural frequencies
1
: the fact or condition of occurring frequently
the frequency of automobile accidents
2
a
: the number of times that a periodic function repeats the same sequence of values during a unit variation of the independent variable
b
: the number, proportion, or percentage of items in a particular category in a set of data
3
: the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time: such as
a
: the number of complete alternations (see alternation sense 1) per second of an alternating current
b
: the number of complete oscillations (see oscillation sense 3) per second of energy (such as sound or electromagnetic radiation) in the form of waves
Examples of frequency in a Sentence
the alarming frequency of serious automobile accidents caused by young drivers
The frequency of student errors was frustrating to the young teacher.
Our visits decreased in frequency.
Errors were occurring with increasing frequency.
a sound wave of high frequency
waves having very different frequencies from one another
a current having a frequency of 60 hertz
a radio frequency of 30 megahertz
Recent Examples on the Web
Staff at Hearst took note this week of the frequency in which board member and scion Austin Hearst dined with Epstein in 2013; emails showed Epstein invited Hearst to visit his home, and the two planned a trip together to visit Harvard.
—
Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The frequency and pattern of these spikes change based on both contact intensity and location.
—New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
However, if the growth is slower than in the summer, consider reducing the amount and frequency of fertilization.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
The challenge is more about frequency, and the spacing of stops, than the speed of the vehicle.
—Jonathan Cohn, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frequency
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Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
The frequency and pattern of these spikes change based on both contact intensity and location.
—New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026
However, if the growth is slower than in the summer, consider reducing the amount and frequency of fertilization.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 8 Feb. 2026
The challenge is more about frequency, and the spacing of stops, than the speed of the vehicle.
—Jonathan Cohn, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for frequency
Cite this Entry
“Frequency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frequency. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
frequency
noun
fre·quen·cy
ˈfrē-kwən-sē
plural frequencies
1
: the fact or condition of happening often
2
: how often something happens : rate of repetition
3
: the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time: as
a
: the number of times per second that an electric current flowing in one direction changes direction then changes back
a current having a frequency of 60 hertz
b
: the number of waves (as of sound or electromagnetic energy) that pass a fixed point each second
a sound having a frequency of 1500 hertz
the frequency of yellow light
4
: the number or proportion of one kind of item in a group
the frequency of chocolate doughnuts in the box
Medical Definition
frequency
noun
fre·quen·cy
ˈfrē-kwən-sē
plural frequencies
1
: the number of individuals in a single class when objects are classified according to variations in a set of one or more specified attributes
2
: the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time
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