frequency

noun

fre·quen·cy | \ ˈfrē-kwən(t)-sē

plural frequencies

Definition of frequency

1 : the fact or condition of occurring frequently the frequency of automobile accidents

2a : 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

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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

Because of the frequency and intimacy of their visits, NFP nurses like Joan help moms make healthier choices — for some, that's kicking addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, or even heroin. — Tracy Saelinger, Woman's Day, "This Nurse Helps New Moms When They're Most Vulnerable," 8 Jan. 2019 Ash found that Zhu Ling had received many doses of toxic thallium, increasing in frequency and concentration over time. — Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, "Study brings us one step closer to solving 1994 thallium poisoning case," 25 Dec. 2018 Those costs can include, but are not limited to, issue salience, the ease with which voters are able to register to vote and to cast a ballot, a country’s electoral system, the frequency of elections, and when in the week elections are held. — Chayenne Polimedio, Vox, "Is voting a civic right or a civic duty?," 6 Nov. 2018 In The Weather Channel’s graphic, Abrams explains how climate change is increasing the frequency and size of extreme fire disasters. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "Weather Channel continues its terrifying mixed reality campaign with wildfire segment," 18 Oct. 2018 Low estrogen levels after menopause can lead to GSM, which comes with its own slew of bothersome symptoms, like vaginal dryness, itching, dyspareunia, urinary urgency and increased frequency, and urinary tract infections. — Lindsay Carlton, Fox News, "Actress Cheryl Hines on the awkwardness of menopause," 28 Sep. 2018 Scarbrough expects a 50 percent attendance rise this year, and the new program increases the frequency and number of panel discussions to accommodate potentially larger audiences. — Dylan Housego, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Dylan's Report: U-T to host second annual San Diego Festival of Books," 5 July 2018 Special relativity also affects many other things physicists measure—for example, the frequency and intensity of light and also the size of an object’s appearance. — Scientific American, "Astronomy at the Speed of Light," 3 July 2018 While the conversation surrounding mental illness is definitely improving in both its frequency and its sentiment, unfortunately, many still feel stigmatized. — Molly Burford, Teen Vogue, "4 Ways You Might Accidentally Be Perpetuating Mental Health Stigma," 28 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'frequency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.