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
D. B. Steinman2
: variation, fluctuation
famines due to excessive storminess and violent oscillations of rain and drought, heat and cold—Ellsworth Huntington
Ellsworth Huntington3
: 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.
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
This oscillation pushes and pulls on the surrounding vessel walls, briefly opening tiny pores that allow drugs in the bloodstream to penetrate into the brain.
—Richard J. Price, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
What’s more, a pressure pattern in the Atlantic Ocean that helps direct a storm’s pattern, known as the North Atlantic oscillation, has shifted.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Atomic clocks keep time using the steady oscillations of atoms.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Each of these high-tech tools generate advanced circulation power to achieve pristine indoor air quality, plus special features like precise airflow settings, and different oscillation, cooling, and heating modes.
—Brittany Loggins, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
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Richard J. Price, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
What’s more, a pressure pattern in the Atlantic Ocean that helps direct a storm’s pattern, known as the North Atlantic oscillation, has shifted.
—Simmone Shah, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Atomic clocks keep time using the steady oscillations of atoms.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Each of these high-tech tools generate advanced circulation power to achieve pristine indoor air quality, plus special features like precise airflow settings, and different oscillation, cooling, and heating modes.
—Brittany Loggins, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Cite this Entry
“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oscillation. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oscillation
noun
os·cil·la·tion
ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən
1
: the action or state of oscillating : vibration
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
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