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
b.
a single cycle of such a fluctuation
2.
the act or process of oscillating
Derived forms
oscillatory (ˈɒsɪlətərɪ, -trɪ)
adjective
oscillation in American English
(ˌɑsəˈleɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act of oscillating
2.
fluctuation; instability; variation
3. Physics
a.
repeated variation in the value of some physical quantity, as position or voltage
b.
a single instance or cycle of such a variation
Word origin
L oscillatio
Synonyms of 'oscillation'
fluctuation, swing, variation, instability
wavering, swing, shift, swaying
More Synonyms of oscillation
1 (noun)
a slight oscillation in world temperature
Synonyms
fluctuation
Don't worry about tiny fluctuations in your weight.
swing
His mood swings are concerning me, I hope he's okay.
variation
instability
unpopular policies which resulted in political instability
imbalance
wavering
volatility
variability
unpredictability
seesawing
disequilibrium
capriciousness
the capriciousness of Fate
mutability
inconstancy
changeableness
2 (noun)
his oscillation between scepticism and credulity
Synonyms
wavering
swing
a woman walking with a slight swing to her hips
shift
There has been a shift of the elderly to this state.
swaying
alteration
Making some simple alterations to your diet will make you feel fitter.
veering
seesawing
vacillation
The Prime Minister was pilloried for vacillation and weakness.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of alteration
Definition
a change or modification
Making some simple alterations to your diet will make you feel fitter.
Synonyms
change,
adjustment,
shift,
amendment,
conversion,
modification
in the sense of capriciousness
the capriciousness of Fate
Synonyms
unpredictability,
quirkiness,
fickleness,
impulsiveness,
inconstancy,
freakishness,
fitfulness,
unpredictableness,
changefulness,
variability
in the sense of instability
Definition
lack of steadiness or reliability
unpopular policies which resulted in political instability
Synonyms
uncertainty,
insecurity,
weakness,
imbalance,
vulnerability,
wavering,
volatility,
unpredictability,
restlessness,
fluidity,
fluctuation,
disequilibrium,
transience,
impermanence,
precariousness,
mutability,
shakiness,
unsteadiness,
inconstancy
Nearby words of
oscillation
orthodox
orthodoxy
oscillate
oscillation
ossified
ossify
ostensible
Synonyms of 'oscillation'
oscillation
Explore 'oscillation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of shift
Definition
the act or an instance of shifting
There has been a shift of the elderly to this state.
Synonyms
move,
transfer,
removal,
veering,
relocation,
rearrangement,
conveyance,
repositioning
in the sense of swing
His mood swings are concerning me, I hope he's okay.
Synonyms
fluctuation,
change,
shift,
switch,
variation
in the sense of swing
Definition
the act of swinging
a woman walking with a slight swing to her hips
Synonyms
swaying,
sway
in the sense of vacillation
The Prime Minister was pilloried for vacillation and weakness.