periodic

adjective

pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
1
a
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
b
: occurring repeatedly from time to time
2
a
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages, processes, or digits : cyclic
periodic decimals
a periodic vibration
b
: being a function any value of which recurs at regular intervals
3
: expressed in or characterized by periodic sentences

Examples of periodic in a Sentence

He takes the car in for periodic oil changes. sent out periodic reminders about the office dress code
Recent Examples on the Web In development since 2000, it’s intended to continue periodic replenishment efforts in those two cities for the next 50 years. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2023 Organized conservation efforts began in 2006 and have resulted in periodic re-introductions of frogs raised in captivity since then. Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023 With satellite clinics, Lifetime Eyecare staff could drop in for periodic eye exams, Dr. To explained. First National Bank Alaska, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2023 Kim also needs food aid for his isolated communist country, beset by periodic waves of starvation. Harold Maass, The Week, 5 Sep. 2023 Not long ago, Amanda Calhoun, a periodic gamer, considered buying a video game with online multiplayer capability to play with other gamers online. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023 Method 1: How to Clean Leather Furniture with Water Use this simple leather cleaning method if a piece of furniture is in need of a periodic cleaning. Natalie Schumann, Country Living, 31 Aug. 2023 Detroit Public Schools gained some momentum Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti has been touting improvement in periodic benchmark assessments for the past month. Detroit Free Press, 31 Aug. 2023 The investor receives periodic interest payments, just like with a regular corporate bond, and gets its collateral back if no qualifying disaster occurs during the bond’s term. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 29 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'periodic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of periodic was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near periodic

Cite this Entry

“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

periodic

adjective
pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
1
: occurring at regular intervals
2
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages
periodic vibrations

Medical Definition

periodic

adjective
pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics

More from Merriam-Webster on periodic

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