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

Synonyms of periodic

• frequent
• regular
• repeated
• periodical
• constant

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 fact, periodic charges to 100% help the onboard computers recalibrate and calculate accurate driving range figures. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 10 Nov. 2026

The financial disclosures listed on the page are required to be filed under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, and the periodic stock reports under the 2012 STOCK Act. — Stefan Becket, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026

Evaluation had to become part of the release process rather than a periodic quality check. — Hiren Dhaduk, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026

In this decade, the Goadome has been subject to periodic releases but only recently began to have a steadier place in Nike’s rotation. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing periodic

• periodic acid
• periodic law
• periodic sentence
• periodic table

Rhymes for periodic

• anodic
• helladic
• melodic
• prosodic
• rhapsodic
• spasmodic
• antispasmodic
• aperiodic
• episodic
• modoc
• sodic
• photoperiodic

Kids 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