vibration

vi·bra·tion | \ vī-ˈbrā-shən

Definition of vibration

1a : a periodic motion of the particles of an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite directions from the position of equilibrium when that equilibrium has been disturbed (as when a stretched cord produces musical tones or molecules in the air transmit sounds to the ear)

b : the action of vibrating : the state of being vibrated or in vibratory motion: such as

(1) : oscillation

(2) : a quivering or trembling motion : quiver

2 : an instance of vibration

3 : vacillation in opinion or action : wavering

4a : a characteristic emanation, aura, or spirit that infuses or vitalizes someone or something and that can be instinctively sensed or experienced —often used in plural

b : a distinctive usually emotional atmosphere capable of being sensed —usually used in plural

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Examples of vibration in a Sentence

trying to reduce engine vibration the vibration of the floor caused by thundering feet in the hallway

Recent Examples on the Web The researchers’ app must be taught the different sounds and vibrations from that specific keyboard/table combination before the smartphones can figure out much of anything. — Jordan Wilkerson, Dallas News, "SMU researchers find a new way to snoop with smartphones. But should you be worried?," 12 Aug. 2019 Since the 1940s, scientists have toyed with the concept of acoustic levitation, the use of soundwave vibrations to trap tiny objects in midair. — Sophie Bushwick, Scientific American, "Hearing Is Seeing: Sound Waves Create a 3-D Display," 13 Nov. 2019 Some of the vibrations passed through the wood, through his jaw, through his temporal bone, and into his cochlea, bypassing his eardrum and middle ear. — David Owen, The New Yorker, "What New York City Misses by Not Doing Hearing Tests on Students," 3 Nov. 2019 There was a lot of vibration that Corradi is going to look at tonight. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Forces top qualifying at Texas NHRA FallNationals," 18 Oct. 2019 The devices can pick up all sorts of vibrations, from boisterous sports fans jumping up and down and airplanes passing overhead to distant earthquakes rattling the ground. — National Geographic, "New seismic phenomenon discovered, named stormquakes," 16 Oct. 2019 The total order in the system does not change, so the trade-off is an increase in the molecular vibrations, which means a higher temperature. — George Musser, Science | AAAS, "A fridge made from a rubber band? Twisted elastic fibers could cool your food," 10 Oct. 2019 The stationary probe's seismometer, the Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure, is sensitive enough to pick up the most gentle of vibrations. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, "NASA's InSight mission tunes in to the strange sounds of Mars," 1 Oct. 2019 The message will be sent county-wide and will be accompanied by a special tone and vibration, both repeated twice. — Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Don't worry if you get an alarming text message Wednesday morning," 3 Sep. 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near vibration

vibrational quantum number

vibrational specific heat

vibrational spectrum

Statistics for vibration

Last Updated

14 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

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

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More Definitions for vibration

vibration

noun