tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtre-mər 

1

a

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

b

: nervous excitement

2

: a quivering or vibratory motion

especially : a discrete small movement following or preceding a major seismic event

tremors being felt days after the earthquake

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms of tremor

• quake
• earthquake

Examples of tremor in a Sentence

Small tremors were still being felt several days after the earthquake.

I heard a tremor in her voice.

His tremors were caused by the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

None of Tuesday's eruptions could be observed visually because the volcano was shrouded in dense fog, but all four events were confirmed by seismographs that recorded volcanic tremors, the agency said. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Residents in several cities - such as Universal City, La Habra, Fullerton, Whittier and Los Angeles - reported feeling the tremor, according to the USGS DYFI report. — Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2026

Those with the condition, which was eventually named Minamata disease, had symptoms including tremors, headaches, seizures, vision and hearing problems, ataxia, dysarthria, memory loss, and cognitive decline. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026

The instruments can move with greater flexibility than the human hand, while the system filters out natural hand tremors that could affect delicate movements. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tremour, from Anglo-French tremor, from Latin, from tremere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tremor

• emmer
• condemnor

Kids Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

1

: a trembling or shaking usually caused by weakness or disease

2

: a quivering or vibrating motion

especially : a small movement of the earth before or after an earthquake

Medical Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

tremors of the hands