periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik 
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
Contingent income notes offer periodic income—say, 9% annually—as long as the underlying asset or index doesn’t fall below a preset barrier.
—
Sergei Klebnikov, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Businesses in leisure and hospitality across the country reported fewer Canadian tourists, in part a response to Trump’s policies, according to the Federal Reserve’s periodic survey of businesses across the country.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Apple has 60 days to comply with the Commission's decisions or risk periodic penalty payments.
—Supantha Mukherjee, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel will be closed on April 26, and they are expected to have periodic closures over the course of the mourning period.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
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Sergei Klebnikov, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Businesses in leisure and hospitality across the country reported fewer Canadian tourists, in part a response to Trump’s policies, according to the Federal Reserve’s periodic survey of businesses across the country.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
Apple has 60 days to comply with the Commission's decisions or risk periodic penalty payments.
—Supantha Mukherjee, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel will be closed on April 26, and they are expected to have periodic closures over the course of the mourning period.
—Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
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
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics
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