oscillator

American  

[os-uh-ley-ter] / ˈɒs əˌleɪ tər /

noun

1. Electronics. a circuit that produces an alternating output current of a certain frequency determined by the characteristics of the circuit components.

2. a device or machine producing oscillations.

3. a person or thing that oscillates.

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oscillator British  

/ ˈɒsɪˌleɪtə /

noun

1. a circuit or instrument for producing an alternating current or voltage of a required frequency

2. any instrument for producing oscillations

3. a person or thing that oscillates

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Etymology

Origin of oscillator

1825–35; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin oscillā ( re ) to swing ( see oscillate) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

In a post on X late Monday, Ryan Detrick, chief market strategist at the Carson Group, highlighted recent moves in the McClellan Oscillator, a market-breadth indicator that traders use to measure momentum in stock indexes.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Similar to another closely watched momentum gauge — the 14-day Relative Strength Index — the McClellan Oscillator can be a contrarian signal that the market is overstretched to the upside or downside.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

The McClellan Oscillator has turned higher and is now at -138.

From Forbes • Oct. 15, 2014

It happened to a chap named Blenkinson, who took an Oscillator that hadn't any brake on it.

From Andiron Tales by Dwiggins, Clare Victor

The former, which is termed nowadays a "Hertz Oscillator," is simply two metal discs almost connected by a thick wire.

From Marvels of Scientific Invention An Interesting Account in Non-technical Language of the Invention of Guns, Torpedoes, Submarine Mines, Up-to-date Smelting, Freezing, Colour Photography, and many other recent Discoveries of Science by Corbin, Thomas W.