undulation

noun

un·​du·​la·​tion ˌən-jə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌən-dyə-,

ˌən-də-

1

a

: a rising and falling in waves

b

: a wavelike motion to and fro in a fluid or elastic medium propagated continuously among its particles but with little or no permanent translation of the particles in the direction of the propagation : vibration

2

: the pulsation caused by the vibrating together of two tones not quite in unison

3

: a wavy appearance, outline, or form : waviness

Examples of undulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Harry Maguire’s career arc at Manchester United has had many undulations but his header in stoppage time of extra time against Lyon is sending his trajectory upwards once more. —Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Yes, there are a couple of surprising breaks because of the hillside, but the greens are deliberately set up to roll a little slower so that balls don’t start rolling off the greens on putts encountering undulation. —Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Mid-air, C. ornata executes lateral undulations — wave-like body motions — that fine-tune lift and direction. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

And there’s an undulation that resembles a female orgasm that steps away from this 1-2-3, punch of the climax and a sigh of relief in the last five minutes, and the movie’s over. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 18 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for undulation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

undulation

noun

un·​du·​la·​tion ˌən-jə-ˈlā-shən 

ˌən-d(y)ə-

1

: the action of undulating

2

: a wavy appearance or form : waviness