vibration

[ vahy-brey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of vibrating, or an instance of vibratory motion; oscillation; quiver; tremor.
2. the state of being vibrated.
3. Physics.
   1. the oscillating, reciprocating, or other periodic motion of a rigid or elastic body or medium forced from a position or state of equilibrium.
   2. the analogous motion of the particles of a mass of air or the like, whose state of equilibrium has been disturbed, as in transmitting sound.
4. a supernatural emanation, bearing good or ill, that is sensed by or revealed to those attuned to the occult.
5. Often vibrations. Informal. vibe ( defs 1, 2 ).

vibration

/ vaɪˈbreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of vibrating
2. physics
   1. a periodic motion about an equilibrium position, such as the regular displacement of air in the propagation of sound
   2. a single cycle of such a motion
3. the process or state of vibrating or being vibrated

vibration

/ vī-brā′shən /

1. A rapid oscillation of a particle, particles, or elastic solid or surface, back and forth across a central position.

Derived Forms

• viˈbrationless, adjective
• viˈbrational, adjective

Other Words From

• vi·bra·tion·al adjective
• vi·bra·tion·less adjective
• non·vi·bra·tion noun
• re·vi·bra·tion noun
• un·vi·bra·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vibration¹

First recorded in 1645–55, and in 1965–70 vibration fordef 5; from Latin vibrātiōn- (stem of vibrātiō ); vibrate, -ion

Example Sentences

Phones cannot be on silent or vibration settings, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

“You know, the wind is rushing, the things are blowing. It's a vibration and it makes noise. You know what it is? I want to be a whale psychiatrist. It drives the whales freaking crazy and something happens with them. But for whatever reason, they’re getting washed up on shore, you know. And yet —”

From Salon

“Well, they say that the wind drives them crazy. You know, it's a vibration because you have those, you know, those things are 50-story buildings, some of them.”

From Salon

Many people in Karuk communities, he said, are feeling hope and excitement — a “magnetic vibration.”

From Los Angeles Times

Anyway, said Melvoin, in an emergency “it’s much safer for everyone for kids not to be texting, and for adults to do their job. Part of this is trying to change the culture around addiction to our phones. We want to check in with our kids all the time, but you shouldn’t. They have to develop some independence, and even a vibration in your pocket or book bag distracts you.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fluctuation
• oscillation
• pulse
• reverberation
• tremor