oscillate

verb

os·​cil·​late ˈä-sə-ˌlāt 

oscillated; oscillating

intransitive verb

1

a

: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum

The fan was oscillating.

b

: to move or travel back and forth between two points

he oscillates regularly between his comfortable home … and his downtown office-laboratory

—Gladwin Hill

2

: to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories

The mood of the voters has oscillated between optimism and pessimism.

3

: to vary above and below a mean value

Bank rate oscillates between 2 and 6 percent.

oscillatory

ˈä-sə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē 

adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for oscillate

swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite.

swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Examples of oscillate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sunshine level may oscillate in and out of clouds much of the day, especially after morning hours when skies may be brightest. —A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024

There are several different types of lawn sprinklers available, including traveling, stationary, and telescoping, and some have the ability to rotate and oscillate for better water distribution around the lawn. —Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2024

Conway discovered a pattern called the blinker, which oscillates between two states. —Alex Stone, Quanta Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024

The system didn’t work: in early testing, the dinosaurs oscillated rapidly between emotional states, and were prone to wild mood swings. —Patrick House, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2024

The ball wobbling, or oscillating, before staying or returning to its original spot does not classify as movement, the rules add. —Jack Bantock, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

Before moving into the development, Ethan Rodriguez oscillated between couch-surfing and living out of his car while attending auditions and working for a moving company to make ends meet. —Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2024

Further breaking from the familiar, the automatic movement doesn’t wind with an oscillating weight. —Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 Feb. 2024

In addition to a drill/driver, this kit also comes with an impact driver, a reciprocating saw, a circular saw, an oscillating multi-tool, and a powerful LED work light to brightly illuminate your workspace. —Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin oscillatus, past participle of oscillare to swing, from oscillum swing

First Known Use

1726, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

oscillate

verb

os·​cil·​late ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt 

oscillated; oscillating

1

a

: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum

b

: to move or travel back and forth between two points

2

: to have trouble deciding between opposing beliefs, feelings, or ideas

oscillatory

ˈäs-ə-lə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

Medical Definition

oscillate

intransitive verb

os·​cil·​late ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt 

oscillated; oscillating

1

: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum

2

: to move or travel back and forth between two points

oscillatory

ˈäs-ə-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- 

adjective