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 of oscillation

• fluctuation
• change

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

China’s Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) launched in 2025; initial data published in June 2026 provided the most precise measurements of neutrino oscillation reported to date. — Simon Frantz, Quanta Magazine, 24 June 2026

Dyson Air Purifier and Fan Deals Quiet yet powerful, the Dyson AM07 tower fan offers 10 precise airflow settings and 70-degree oscillation to keep you cool in hot weather. — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026

Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes the oscillations. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 15 June 2026

The alternative is oscillation, extraction, or irrelevance. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oscillation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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