First Known Use: 1726
Dictionary
oscillate
verb os·cil·late \ˈä-sə-ˌlāt\
: to move in one direction and then back again many times
: to keep changing from one belief, feeling, condition, etc., to an opposite one
: to change in strength or direction regularly
os·cil·lat·edos·cil·lat·ing
Full Definition of OSCILLATE
intransitive verb
1
a : to swing backward and forward like a pendulum b : to move or travel back and forth between two points
2
: to vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories
3
: to vary above and below a mean value
— os·cil·la·to·ry \ˈä-sə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
See oscillate defined for English-language learners
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Origin of OSCILLATE
Latin oscillatus, past participle of oscillare to swing, from oscillum swing
Synonym Discussion of OSCILLATE
swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement <swing the rope back and forth>. wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion <waving the flag>. flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement <flourished the winning lottery ticket>. brandish implies threatening or menacing motion <brandishing a knife>. thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement <an infant thrashing his arms about>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
Other Physics Terms
Rhymes with OSCILLATE
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OSCILLATE Defined for Kids
oscillate
verb os·cil·late \ˈä-sə-ˌlāt\
os·cil·lat·edos·cil·lat·ing
Definition of OSCILLATE for Kids
: to swing or move back and forth between two points
Medical Dictionary
oscillate
intransitive verb os·cil·late \ˈäs-ə-ˌlāt\
os·cil·lat·edos·cil·lat·ing
Medical Definition of OSCILLATE
1
: to swing backward and forward like a pendulum
2
: to move or travel back and forth between two points
—os·cil·la·to·ry \ˈäs-ə-lə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr-\ adjective
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