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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Traditional extract, transform and load (ETL) systems—built for periodic batch jobs—fall short in these contexts. Shinoy Vengaramkode Bhaskaran, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025 Beyond that, periodic chances of showers and storms will continue throughout the rest of the week. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 7 July 2025 By the 1850s, dwindling bison herds south of the Platt River were resulting in periodic famines and violent rivalries over the dwindling resource. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 6 July 2025 But for those still hoping to break into this bracket, Andy Smith of Edelman said the key is long-term discipline and commitment to one's own financial plans, regardless of headlines and periodic economic volatilities. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for periodic

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of periodic was in 1650

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Cite this Entry

“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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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