vibration

American  

[vahy-brey-shuhn] / vaɪˈbreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of vibrating, or an instance of vibratory motion; oscillation; quiver; tremor.

2. the state of being vibrated.

3. Physics.

   1. the oscillating, reciprocating, or other periodic motion of a rigid or elastic body or medium forced from a position or state of equilibrium.

   2. the analogous motion of the particles of a mass of air or the like, whose state of equilibrium has been disturbed, as in transmitting sound.

4. a supernatural emanation, bearing good or ill, that is sensed by or revealed to those attuned to the occult.

5. Informal. Often vibrations vibe.

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vibration British  

/ vaɪˈbreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of vibrating

2. physics

   1. a periodic motion about an equilibrium position, such as the regular displacement of air in the propagation of sound

   2. a single cycle of such a motion

3. the process or state of vibrating or being vibrated

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vibration Scientific  

/ vī-brā′shən /

1. A rapid oscillation of a particle, particles, or elastic solid or surface, back and forth across a central position.

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Other Word Forms

• nonvibration noun
• revibration noun
• unvibrational adjective
• vibrational adjective
• vibrationless adjective

Etymology

Origin of vibration

First recorded in 1645–55, and in 1965–70 vibration for def. 5; from Latin vibrātiōn- (stem of vibrātiō ); vibrate, -ion

Example Sentences

In recent decades, however, researchers have expanded this idea to other types of particles, including phonons, which are tiny units of vibration or sound.

From Science Daily

So the team subjected the capsule to vibrations in the lab to ensure everything would still work after that kind of extreme shaking.

From Los Angeles Times

But after some residents of Mid-City expressed concerns about potential settlement damage and vibration to historic homes, Metro directed staff to conduct extensive, peer-reviewed study exploring tunneling under historic communities.

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond the vibrations, Honda's power-unit is down on power from both the internal combustion engine and electrical system, which can neither recover nor deploy energy at the full permitted 350kW rate.

From BBC

“At these depths, there would not be noise and vibration,” Sheridan said, noting that Metro had tunneled in similar soil conditions at similar depths without settlement problems.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fluctuation
• oscillation
• pulse
• reverberation
• tremor