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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.

We use multiple indicators but rely most on the stochastic oscillator for timely indications of important highs and lows.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

We use multiple indicators but rely most on the stochastic oscillator for timely indications of important highs and lows.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

In fact, our two oscillators are split, with the NYSE-based oscillator being on a sell signal, while the “stocks only” oscillator is on a buy.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

The “stocks only” breadth oscillator remains on a buy signal and is even in modestly overbought territory.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 11, 2025

In under a minute, he has built an oscillator to match the schematic.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr