fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən 
-chü-ˈā-
plural fluctuations
: an act or instance of fluctuating : an irregular shifting back and forth or up and down in the level, strength, or value of something
Small fluctuations in prices are to be expected.
Some fluctuation in real estate values is not unusual.
North American species in general, having contended with blazing July days and frosty September nights as they evolved, are much more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than tropical species are.—
Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan FranzenExamples of fluctuation in a Sentence
political instability that resulted in wild fluctuations in the overseas stock markets
Recent Examples on the Web
The design calls for battery energy storage systems to handle short-term fluctuations with millisecond response, while hydrogen reserves provide long-duration, seasonal backup through fuel cells and turbines.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
From even tiny initial seed fluctuations in the matter density of the Universe, star clusters, galaxies, groups and clusters of galaxies, and even larger structures like superclusters began to form.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The 1940 Statement formalized this system after a period of fluctuation and gave it teeth by requiring universities to give faculty due process before termination.
—Time, 1 Oct. 2025
The fluctuations will depend on demand, and could even occur within this Visa presale, as soon as Friday, when the next batch of lottery winners get their chance to purchase tickets.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
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Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2025
From even tiny initial seed fluctuations in the matter density of the Universe, star clusters, galaxies, groups and clusters of galaxies, and even larger structures like superclusters began to form.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Oct. 2025
Advertisement The 1940 Statement formalized this system after a period of fluctuation and gave it teeth by requiring universities to give faculty due process before termination.
—Time, 1 Oct. 2025
The fluctuations will depend on demand, and could even occur within this Visa presale, as soon as Friday, when the next batch of lottery winners get their chance to purchase tickets.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluctuation. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən
1
: a motion like that of waves
especially
: the wavelike motion of a fluid collected in a natural or artificial cavity of the body observed by palpation or percussion
2
a
: a slight and nonheritable variation
especially
: such a variation occurring in response to environmental factors
b
: recurrent and often more or less cyclic alteration (as of form, size, or color of a bodily part)
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