oscillation

noun

os·​cil·​la·​tion ˌä-sə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or state of oscillating

stays can be effectively used to prevent oscillations in new bridges

—D. B. Steinman

2

: variation, fluctuation

famines due to excessive storminess and violent oscillations of rain and drought, heat and cold

—Ellsworth Huntington

3

: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum

especially : a flow periodically changing direction

4

: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other

Each oscillation of the pendulum represents one second.

oscillational

ˌä-sə-ˈlā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• change
• fluctuation
• flux
• inconstancy

Examples of oscillation in a Sentence

the continued oscillation of the fan

There has been oscillation between optimism and pessimism among voters.

Recent Examples on the Web

Standout features: 350-degree oscillation, programmable, Air Multiplier technology Area coverage: One room Covering up to 101 square feet, this purifier is quiet and hardworking. —Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2024

Thanks to its 90-degree oscillation and five speeds, this 40-inch tall tower fan quickly cools off large areas like living rooms and bedrooms. —Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

This new model now takes torsional oscillations into account. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024

Again, the effect was strongest when the positive words coincided with the up phase of slow oscillations. —Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

oscillation

noun

os·​cil·​la·​tion ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or state of oscillating : vibration

2

: variation sense 1, fluctuation

3

: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other

Medical Definition

oscillation

noun

os·​cil·​la·​tion ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the action or state of oscillating

2

: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum

especially : a flow periodically changing direction