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
The particles come in three types, constantly morphing from one to another in a phenomenon called neutrino oscillation.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
In deeper stages of non-REM sleep, these neurons fall into a slow, rhythmic oscillation of activity punctuated by stretches of silence.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Political oscillations are as much of a challenge to dealing with climate change as climate change itself.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The oscillation also produces a significant variation in pressure on the shuttlecock's feathers.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
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Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
In deeper stages of non-REM sleep, these neurons fall into a slow, rhythmic oscillation of activity punctuated by stretches of silence.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 20 Aug. 2025
Political oscillations are as much of a challenge to dealing with climate change as climate change itself.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
The oscillation also produces a significant variation in pressure on the shuttlecock's feathers.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 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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