tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtre-mər 

1

a

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

b

: nervous excitement

2

: a quivering or vibratory motion

especially : a discrete small movement following or preceding a major seismic event

tremors being felt days after the earthquake

3

a

: a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity

a tremor of hesitation

b

: a cause of such a feeling

Synonyms of tremor

• quake
• earthquake

Examples of tremor in a Sentence

Small tremors were still being felt several days after the earthquake.

I heard a tremor in her voice.

His tremors were caused by the disease.

Recent Examples on the Web

Without tectonic plates, the moon's tremors are driven by tidal forces from Earth, meteorite impacts and extreme temperature swings as the lunar surface heats and cools. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2026

More than 130 people from as far away as Esparto and San Francisco reported feeling the tremors to the agency. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026

In the United States, those shock waves arrive not as distant tremors but as catalysts for domestic radicalization and violence, particularly against Jewish communities. —Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026

Just a nibble on a leaf or petal can lead to rapid kidney damage with loss of appetite, vomiting, hypersalivation, lethargy and sometimes neurological signs such as stumbling, tremors and seizures. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tremour, from Anglo-French tremor, from Latin, from tremere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tremor

• emmer
• condemnor

Kids Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

1

: a trembling or shaking usually caused by weakness or disease

2

: a quivering or vibrating motion

especially : a small movement of the earth before or after an earthquake

Medical Definition

tremor

noun

trem·​or ˈtrem-ər 

: a trembling or shaking usually from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease

tremors of the hands