sinusoidal

[ sahy-nuh-soid-l ]

adjective

1. Mathematics. of or relating to a sinusoid.
2. having a magnitude that varies as the sine of an independent variable:

   a sinusoidal current.

sinusoidal

/ ˌsaɪnəˈsɔɪdəl /

adjective

1. maths of or relating to a sine curve
2. physics having a magnitude that varies as a sine curve

Derived Forms

• ˌsinusˈoidally, adverb

Other Words From

• sinus·oidal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sinusoidal¹

First recorded in 1875–80; sinusoid + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Josephson tunnel junctions consist of two superconductors with a thin insulating barrier in-between and, for decades, these circuit elements have been described with a simple sinusoidal model.

From Science Daily

The new models offered a peek at the underlying pathology, illuminating the roles of hepatic stellate and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in the disease process.

From Science Daily

One model put forth in 1990 assumed riders rock backward and forward at a constant frequency in simple sinusoidal motion—meaning the movement makes the shape of a sine wave in time.

From Science Magazine

The technique takes advantage of phase information in the returning microwaves—in other words, where a signal is in its sinusoidal path when it hits the antenna.

From Science Magazine

Because the band flattening is directly linked to the potential energy caused by forces between electrons and nuclei, the deviations from a sinusoidal current encode information about the energy landscape itself.

From Nature