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

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms

• earthquake
• quake
• shake
• temblor

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

Parkinson’s is a nervous-system disorder that causes vital nerve cells in the brain to die, cutting production of dopamine, a chemical that helps the brain control motor skills, causing tremors in the hands and diminishing the ability to move. —Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2023

Short-term symptoms can include headache, abdominal pain, vomiting and anemia, while longer-term exposure can lead to muscle aches, difficulty concentrating and tremors, among other symptoms. —Aaron Gregg, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023

The pastoral vista shook with tremors from shelling, and every few moments, bits of the landscape burst into three-story clouds of dust and debris. —Matt Bradley, NBC News, 2 Nov. 2023

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system that affects mobility and causes tremors. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2023

The findings suggest that the large tremors were most likely born from geological processes below the surface instead, researchers reported October 17 in Geophysical Research Letters. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Oct. 2023

Yet his client, a foster mother named Jody Britton, had already had the tremors checked out by multiple doctors. —Eli Hager, ProPublica, 16 Oct. 2023

The agency went on to list signs and symptoms of lead toxicity, including headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, anemia, fatigue, irritability, weight loss and tremor. —Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 30 Oct. 2023

The symptoms include stiffness, a slowing of body movements and tremors. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2023

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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

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