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
For example, if an electric motor normally draws 20 A at 100 Hz oscillation, an unexplained 30 A or 150 Hz jump could signal bearing damage.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
During my outdoor run, the SE 3 also measured my calories, distance, elevation gain, pace, time, and advanced form metrics like power, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length.
—PC Magazine, 16 Sep. 2025
Instead, gravitational waves, as natural quantum oscillations of space-time itself, are enough in this model to create the density fluctuations that lead to matter developing structures like galaxies, stars, and planets.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Scientists have continued to develop light-flickering stimulation to induce gamma-wave oscillations in Alzheimer's disease patients.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oscillation
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Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
During my outdoor run, the SE 3 also measured my calories, distance, elevation gain, pace, time, and advanced form metrics like power, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, and stride length.
—PC Magazine, 16 Sep. 2025
Instead, gravitational waves, as natural quantum oscillations of space-time itself, are enough in this model to create the density fluctuations that lead to matter developing structures like galaxies, stars, and planets.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Scientists have continued to develop light-flickering stimulation to induce gamma-wave oscillations in Alzheimer's disease patients.
—New Atlas, 2 Sep. 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 29 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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