undulation

un·du·la·tion | \ ˌən-jə-ˈlā-shən

How to pronounce undulation (audio)

, ˌən-dyə-, ˌən-də- \

Definition of undulation

1a : 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 The artificial geometry of roads and waste-storage pads stands out from the organic undulations and gradient washes of the desert, although the two blend together in sites of intensive activity, where human drivers left behind their unruly tracks. — Max Norman, The New Yorker, "Emmet Gowin’s Tender Photography of Nuclear Destruction," 7 Nov. 2019 Dynamics and directions shift quickly, and quirky isolations spool into flowing undulations. — BostonGlobe.com, "Black Grace’s ‘Kiona and the Little Bird Suite’ takes flight - The Boston Globe," 28 Oct. 2019 The light drawings may march in rigid mathematical patterns or switch to fluid undulations. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, "In the galleries: Artechouse’s ‘Infinite Space’ has waves of natural influences," 9 Aug. 2019 Ancient handprints and outlines were also incorporated into the natural undulations in the cave walls. — Meghan Miner Murray, National Geographic, "9 of Europe’s underground marvels," 2 Aug. 2019 Lane, who trained in ballet and modern and has used a wheelchair since 1984, is truly embodied here, the swirls of her chair matched by the undulations of her arms and torso. — Lauren Warnecke, chicagotribune.com, "Momenta’s ‘Counter Balance’ has ingenious duets and wheelchair dance, as well as some unnecessary fluff," 9 Sep. 2019 Siwa, 16, has spaghetti blond hair and a voice like a wooden roller-coaster track–fun but rough, with unexpected undulations. — Jamie Lauren Keiles, Time, "'What Do People Want Me to Do? Wear Black Every Day?': How Child Star JoJo Siwa Built Her Sparkly Empire," 22 Aug. 2019 The detection of these feeble undulations in the fabric of space and time by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) was said to have opened a new ear on the cosmos. — Wired, "Confirmed! Scientists Did See Gravitational Waves (Probably)," 16 Dec. 2018 Compared to most courses in the Open rotation, Portrush has far more undulations. — Los Angeles Times, "J.B. Holmes takes British Open lead with Brooks Koepka lurking," 18 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'undulation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about undulation

Dictionary Entries near undulation

undulating cadence

undulatory theory

Statistics for undulation

Last Updated

26 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Undulation.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undulation. Accessed 14 December 2019.

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