fluctuation

[fluhk-choo-ey-shuhn]

noun

1. continual change from one point or condition to another.

2. wavelike motion; undulation.

3. Genetics.,  a body variation due to environmental factors and not inherited.

Other Word Forms

• nonfluctuation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fluctuation¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin fluctuātiōn- (stem of fluctuātiō ) a fluctuation, wavering. See fluctuate, -ion

Example Sentences

Erebor plans to avoid risk from interest-rate fluctuations by investing in short-term Treasury securities and other highly liquid government bonds, according to the people familiar with the matter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The fluctuations, though, are slight because of what the ETFs hold, Laipply says.

Read more on Barron's

The Sun's magnetic cycle is a repeating pattern that lasts about 11 years, marked by fluctuations in sunspot numbers and a complete reversal of the Sun's magnetic poles.

Read more on Science Daily

The silver market is significantly smaller, making it more sensitive to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The silver market is also significantly smaller, meaning fluctuations in the U.S. dollar tend to have a more pronounced effect on prices on a percentage basis.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• variation 

When To Use

What does fluctuation mean?

Fluctuation is continual change.It’s a noun form of the verb fluctuate, meaning to continually change or shift back and forth.Fluctuation is most commonly used in the context of abstract or intangible things that frequently change, such as temperature, the stock market, or someone’s mood.Example: The fluctuation of the volume on my TV is really annoying—it gets louder during commercials and then it gets quiet again when the show comes back on.