Oscillation: meaning, definitions and examples

🔄
Add to dictionary

oscillation

 

[ ˌɒsɪˈleɪʃən ]

Context #1

physics

The act or state of swinging back and forth with a regular rhythm.

Synonyms

swaying, swinging, vibration

Examples of usage

  • The oscillation of a pendulum
  • The oscillation of a vibrating guitar string
Context #2

electronics

A rapid variation in the magnitude or direction of a signal.

Synonyms

fluctuation, ripple, variation

Examples of usage

  • The oscillation of an electrical current
  • The oscillation of a radio wave
Context #3

general

A change or movement between two points or states.

Synonyms

alternation, fluctuation, shifting

Examples of usage

  • The oscillation between joy and sadness
  • The oscillation between success and failure

Translations

Translations of the word "oscillation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 oscilação

🇮🇳 दोलन

🇩🇪 Schwingung

🇮🇩 osilasi

🇺🇦 коливання

🇵🇱 oscylacja

🇯🇵 振動 (しんどう)

🇫🇷 oscillation

🇪🇸 oscilación

🇹🇷 salınım

🇰🇷 진동

🇸🇦 اهتزاز

🇨🇿 oscilace

🇸🇰 oscilácia

🇨🇳 振荡 (zhèndàng)

🇸🇮 nihanje

🇮🇸 sveifla

🇰🇿 тербеліс

🇬🇪 რხევა

🇦🇿 titrəmə

🇲🇽 oscilación

Word origin

The word 'oscillation' comes from the Latin word 'oscillatio' meaning 'a swinging'. It has been used in physics to describe the back and forth movement of a pendulum since the 17th century. In electronics, the term refers to rapid variations in signals, a concept developed in the early 20th century. The general usage of 'oscillation' to describe movement between two points or states has been common in English since the 19th century.