oscillator

American  

[os-uh-lay-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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

oscillator

One well-known example is the "cat state," where an oscillator exists as a superposition of two wave packets moving in opposite directions.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 15, 2026

To accomplish the feat, the researchers adopted a laser architecture known as the Mamyshev oscillator, a design that had received relatively little attention in integrated photonics.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 4, 2026

Combining the stochastic oscillator with support and resistance improves results.

From Barron's ● Apr. 10, 2026

Market breadth has been positive enough to stave off the “stocks only” oscillator sell signal.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 5, 2026

The challenge then becomes timing the electrical impulses so they energize the gap at the very moment the particles cross, which means generating them from an oscillator working at a fixed frequency.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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