oscillation
noun
os·cil·la·tion ˌä-sə-ˈlā-shən 
1
: the action or state of oscillating
… stays can be effectively used to prevent oscillations in new bridges …—
D. B. Steinman
D. B. Steinman
2
: variation, fluctuation
… famines due to excessive storminess and violent oscillations of rain and drought, heat and cold.—Ellsworth Huntington
Ellsworth Huntington
3
: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum
especially : a flow periodically changing direction
4
: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other
Each oscillation of the pendulum represents one second.
Examples of oscillation in a Sentence
the continued oscillation of the fan There has been oscillation between optimism and pessimism among voters.
Recent Examples on the Web
That is an oscillation of the Moon, causing parts near the edge of the disc that are often not visible from the Earth to sometimes come into view. —Ray Petelin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026 There are some adjustments that stand out — the Nationals are crushing fastballs and swinging less with two strikes — but overall, this is an offense of oscillation. —Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026 For instance, light particles like positrons (or electrons, in this experiment) need extremely fast oscillations, gigahertz (GHz) frequencies, to stay confined. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026 For her part, Conrad is leading an experiment called Isodar, which will look specifically for fast neutrino oscillation caused by any number of light sterile neutrinos. —Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ray Petelin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026 There are some adjustments that stand out — the Nationals are crushing fastballs and swinging less with two strikes — but overall, this is an offense of oscillation. —Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026 For instance, light particles like positrons (or electrons, in this experiment) need extremely fast oscillations, gigahertz (GHz) frequencies, to stay confined. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026 For her part, Conrad is leading an experiment called Isodar, which will look specifically for fast neutrino oscillation caused by any number of light sterile neutrinos. —Quanta Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oscillation
Cite this Entry
“Oscillation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/oscillation. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
oscillation
noun
os·cil·la·tion ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən
1
: the action or state of oscillating : vibration
3
: a single swing (as of an oscillating body) from one extreme limit to the other
Medical Definition
oscillation
noun
os·cil·la·tion ˌäs-ə-ˈlā-shən
1
: the action or state of oscillating
2
: a flow of electricity changing periodically from a maximum to a minimum
especially : a flow periodically changing direction
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