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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of oscillator

1825–35; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin oscillā ( re ) to swing ( 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.

The net effect is that the breadth oscillator buy signals that were confirmed in mid-January are still in effect.

From MarketWatch

Market breadth has improved greatly, and both breadth oscillators are on buy signals.

From MarketWatch

The “stocks only” breadth oscillator generated a buy signal with the positive trading late in 2025 but would relinquish that status if breadth is negative again today.

From MarketWatch

As a result, both of our breadth oscillators are on sell signals.

From MarketWatch

Even so, the “stocks only” breadth oscillator’s sell signal has been canceled out.

From MarketWatch