periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik 
1
a
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
b
: occurring repeatedly from time to time
2
a
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages, processes, or digits : cyclic
periodic decimals
a periodic vibration
b
: being a function any value of which recurs at regular intervals
3
: expressed in or characterized by periodic sentences
Examples of periodic in a Sentence
He takes the car in for periodic oil changes.
sent out periodic reminders about the office dress code
Recent Examples on the Web
Bisexuality was undergoing one of its periodic upticks.
—
Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
According to Industrie Africa, those hurdles included varying compliance capacity and origin-rule complexities, while the act’s periodic renewals created an atmosphere of uncertainty that complicated long-term pricing and fulfilment strategies for exporters.
—Ezreen Benissan, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
Self-healing concrete fits in well with ideas around sensor technology and digital twins – in which cracks in a structure could serve as a warning of damage and then repair themselves, needing little more than periodic checking.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Even amid the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, periodic strikes have continued, with the death toll continuing to mount.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodic
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Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
According to Industrie Africa, those hurdles included varying compliance capacity and origin-rule complexities, while the act’s periodic renewals created an atmosphere of uncertainty that complicated long-term pricing and fulfilment strategies for exporters.
—Ezreen Benissan, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
Self-healing concrete fits in well with ideas around sensor technology and digital twins – in which cracks in a structure could serve as a warning of damage and then repair themselves, needing little more than periodic checking.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Even amid the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, periodic strikes have continued, with the death toll continuing to mount.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
1
: occurring at regular intervals
2
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages
periodic vibrations
Medical Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics
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