frequency
/ˈfriːkw(ə)nsi
/noun (plural frequencies)
1 [mass noun] The rate at which something occurs over a particular period of time or in a given sample: an increase in the frequency of accidents due to increased overtime...
- Over time, symptomatic periods may increase in frequency and severity.
- Poch and Mannering found that the presence of a sight-distance restriction was found to significantly increase accident frequency.
- Rest periods and frequency should be the same as those for increasing muscular strength.
1.1The fact or state of being frequent or happening often.Although such things do happen with too great frequency, cases of ‘benign neglect’ are far more common....
- The fact that it happened with apparent frequency seems like an important detail on many levels.
- That happens with great frequency in the system.
Synonyms
rate of occurrence, commonness, frequentness, prevalence, incidence, amount;
rate of repetition, recurrence, repetition, persistence, regularity;
Statistics distribution
2The rate per second of a vibration constituting a wave, either in a material (as in sound waves), or in an electromagnetic field (as in radio waves and light): different thicknesses of glass will absorb different frequencies of sound (Symbol: f or ν) The answer, Zuckerwar explains, is that each one generates silent infrasound - long sound waves at a frequency below 20 hertz....
- The Doppler effect is a change in the frequency of sound waves caused by moving objects.
- Newton concluded that these forms of light vibrate at different frequencies.
2.1The particular waveband at which radio signals are broadcast or transmitted: a radio station on a single AM radio frequency [mass noun]: a coding sequence to ensure that everyone changes frequency in the correct manner...
- Suppose an FM radio station is assigned the broadcast frequency 100 MHz.
- In short, it plugs into a headphones jack and transmits the signal over an FM frequency you choose.
- Finally, he tuned his suit's radio to the frequency listed on the cover of the transmitter.
Origin
Mid 16th century (gradually superseding late Middle English frequence; originally denoting a gathering of people): from Latin frequentia, from frequens, frequent- 'crowded, frequent'.