undulation

[ uhn-juh-ley-shuhn, uhn-dyuh-, -duh- ]

noun

1. an act of undulating; a wavelike motion.
2. a wavy form or outline.
3. one of a series of wavelike bends, curves, or elevations.
4. Physics.
   1. a wave.
   2. the motion of waves.

undulation

/ ˌʌndjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of undulating
2. any wave or wavelike form, line, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of undulation¹

First recorded in 1640–50; undul(ate) + -ation

Example Sentences

With just 118 yards left, Lowry knocked his approach left of the hole, took advantage of the green’s undulations and watched as it tracked all the way in for an eagle.

From Seattle Times

With undulations and drum-accented contractions, she gives birth and removes the cord.

From New York Times

So he returned to the stage and started the gentle undulations of the A-flat major étude he had played some 40 minutes earlier — now with even more flowing naturalness.

From New York Times

Watching the show feels like watching a snake, its gliding undulations mostly moving side to side but actually propelling the story forward.

From New York Times

By confining electrons on flat surfaces, researchers can coax them into peculiar dances that collectively masquerade as a Majorana particle, much as the undulations of a flock of birds might appear like a swimming fish.

From Science Magazine