frequency

[ free-kwuhn-see ]

noun

, plural fre·quen·cies.

1. Also frequence. the state or fact of being frequent; frequent occurrence:

   We are alarmed by the frequency of fires in the neighborhood.

   Synonyms: regularity, recurrence, repetition

2. rate of occurrence:

   The doctor has increased the frequency of his visits.

3. Physics.
   1. the number of periods or regularly occurring events of any given kind in unit of time, usually in one second.
   2. the number of cycles or completed alternations per unit time of a wave or oscillation. : F; : freq.
4. Mathematics. the number of times a value recurs in a unit change of the independent variable of a given function.
5. Statistics. the number of items occurring in a given category.

frequency

/ ˈfriːkwənsɪ /

noun

1. the state of being frequent; frequent occurrence
2. the number of times that an event occurs within a given period; rate of recurrence
3. physics the number of times that a periodic function or vibration repeats itself in a specified time, often 1 second. It is usually measured in hertz νf
4. statistics
   1. the number of individuals in a class ( absolute frequency )
   2. the ratio of this number to the total number of individuals under survey ( relative frequency )
5. ecology
   1. the number of individuals of a species within a given area
   2. the percentage of quadrats that contains individuals of a species

frequency

/ frē′kwən-sē /

1. Physics.
   The rate at which a repeating event occurs, such as the full cycle of a wave. Frequencies are usually measured in hertz.
2. Physics.
   Compare amplitudeSee also period
3. Mathematics.
   The ratio of the number of occurrences of some event to the number of opportunities for its occurrence.

frequency

1. In physics , the number of crests of a wave that move past a given point in a given unit of time. The most common unit of frequency is the hertz ( Hz ), corresponding to one crest per second. The frequency of a wave can be calculated by dividing the speed of the wave by the wavelength . Thus, in the electromagnetic spectrum , the wavelengths decrease as the frequencies increase, and vice versa.

Other Words From

• non·fre·quence noun
• non·fre·quen·cy noun
• o·ver·fre·quen·cy noun
• un·der·fre·quen·cy noun plural underfrequencies

Word History and Origins

Origin of frequency¹

First recorded in 1545–55, frequency is from the Latin word frequentia assembly, multitude, crowd. See frequent, -cy

Word History and Origins

Origin of frequency¹

C16: from Latin frequentia a large gathering, from frequēns numerous, crowded

Example Sentences

This comes as fight frequency leaguewide has tapered off over the years and nosedived over the past decade.

From FiveThirtyEight

The researchers thought higher storm frequency might shape where lizards evolved to have better grips.

From Science News For Students

The researchers pinpointed the frequency of radiation needed to make the atoms take the leap, which is equivalent to finding the size of the gap between the energy levels.

From Science News

The pattern of waves, called a chirp, would increase in frequency over time.

From Science News For Students

Generating and transmitting them is difficult and expensive, requiring special lasers, and even then the frequency range is limited.

From Singularity Hub 

That frequency is within the range used by amateur radio operators, so anyone can listen in.

From The Daily Beast

One of the biggest concerns in Europe is the frequency of air traffic with West Africa.

From The Daily Beast

The agent in the security room repeats this message to those at the debate site, listening on the “Mike” radio frequency.

From The Daily Beast

Despairing about the length and frequency of the many fashion weeks has become a tired refrain.

From The Daily Beast

The bigger the black hole, the lower the frequency, much as it is with musical instruments.

From The Daily Beast

In short, there is but one fault I find with the country, and it is a great one, I mean the frequency of earthquakes.

From Project Gutenberg

The secrecy of these meetings make them more enjoyable, and their length and frequency are unconsciously increased.

From Project Gutenberg

The frequency with which it is seen near cliffs suggests that it finds concealment under rocks.

From Project Gutenberg

Certainty of meaning precedes frequency of use; and this necessary confidence 238 is gained from a study of the dictionary.

From Project Gutenberg

Earthquakes increased in frequency until Rick and Scotty felt as though the ground never ceased shuddering.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• density
• number
• prevalence
• recurrence
• regularity
• repetition