oscillator
Americannoun
-
Electronics. a circuit that produces an alternating output current of a certain frequency determined by the characteristics of the circuit components.
-
a device or machine producing oscillations.
-
a person or thing that oscillates.
noun
-
a circuit or instrument for producing an alternating current or voltage of a required frequency
-
any instrument for producing oscillations
-
a person or thing that oscillates
Etymology
Origin of oscillator
1825–35; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin oscillā ( re ) to swing ( see oscillate) + -tor -tor
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That distance is more than one thousand times greater than the characteristic size of a single oscillator.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 24, 2026
The Mamyshev oscillator, however, is far less susceptible to these problems, making it particularly well suited for integrated photonic devices.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 4, 2026
The NYSE-based breadth oscillator is now on a sell signal, and the “stocks only” breadth oscillator could follow suit.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 30, 2026
Combining the stochastic oscillator with support and resistance improves results.
From Barron's ● Apr. 10, 2026
The phenomenon by which protons keep time with the oscillator even as they accelerate came to be known as “resonance.”
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
![]()
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.