oscillation

[ os-uh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of oscillating.
2. a single swing or movement in one direction of an oscillating body.
3. fluctuation between beliefs, opinions, conditions, etc.
4. Physics.
   1. an effect expressible as a quantity that repeatedly and regularly fluctuates above and below some mean value, as the pressure of a sound wave or the voltage of an alternating current.
   2. a single fluctuation between maximum and minimum values in such an effect.
5. Mathematics.
   1. the difference between the least upper bound and the greatest lower bound of the functional values of a function in a given interval.
   2. Also called saltus. the limit of the oscillation in an interval containing a given point, as the length of the interval approaches zero.

oscillation

/ ˈɒsɪlətərɪ; ˌɒsɪˈleɪʃən; -trɪ /

noun

1. physics statistics
   1. regular fluctuation in value, position, or state about a mean value, such as the variation in an alternating current or the regular swinging of a pendulum
   2. a single cycle of such a fluctuation
2. the act or process of oscillating

oscillation

/ ŏs′ə-lā′shən /

1. A repeating fluctuation in a physical object or quantity.
2. See also attractor
3. A single cycle of such fluctuation.

Derived Forms

• oscillatory, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oscillation¹

1650–60; < Latin oscillātiōn- (stem of oscillātiō ) a swinging, equivalent to oscillāt ( us ) ( oscillate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

"We have thus confirmed the hypothesis that efficient gaits can be realized by exploiting natural oscillation patterns," explains Prof.

From Science Daily

To compensate for this sudden change, the winds loop back toward the mountains and mix with the remaining stable air mass, creating oscillations that animate dust storms.

From Los Angeles Times

The effect was also dependent on where the alpha oscillations were coming from in the brain.

From Science Daily

The data favor the "normal" ordering of neutrino masses more strongly than before, but ambiguity remains around the neutrino's oscillation properties.

From Science Daily

A Dutch roll is “a coupled oscillation” that creates simultaneous side-to-side and rocking motions, producing a figure-8 effect.

From New York Times

Related Words

• vibration