periodic

¹

[peer-ee-od-ik]

adjective

1. recurring at intervals of time.

   periodic revivals of an interest in handicrafts.

2. occurring or appearing at regular intervals.

   periodic visits by doctors to the village.

3. repeated at irregular intervals; intermittent.

   periodic outbreaks of the disease.

4. Physics.,  recurring at equal intervals of time.

5. Mathematics.,  (of a function) having a graph that repeats after a fixed interval period of the independent variable.

6. Astronomy.

   1. characterized by a series of successive circuits or revolutions, as the motion of a planet or satellite.

   2. of or relating to a period, as of the revolution of a heavenly body.

7. pertaining to or characterized by rhetorical periods, or periodic sentences.

periodic

²

[pur-ahy-od-ik]

adjective

Chemistry.

1. of or derived from a periodic acid.

periodic

/ ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪk, ˌpɪərɪəˈdɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. happening or recurring at intervals; intermittent

2. of, relating to, or resembling a period

3. having or occurring in repeated periods or cycles

Other Word Forms

• periodically adverb
• periodicity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of periodic¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin periodicus, from Greek periodikós; period, -ic

Origin of periodic²

First recorded in 1830–40; per- + iodic

Example Sentences

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., decided over the weekend that it was time for one of those periodic displays of not standing for it.

From Salon

The protection should be subject to periodic review rather than being open-ended, balancing security needs with fiscal responsibility.

From Los Angeles Times

Knight, of The Crescent, Bolton-upon-Dearne, was handed a 20-month sentence suspended for two years along with 50 sessions of rehabilitation activity and must return to court for periodic reviews by the judge.

From BBC

If a player wins Monday’s jackpot, they would have a choice between periodic payments totaling an estimated $1.1 billion or a lump sum estimated at $498.4 million, the Powerball bulletin said.

From Los Angeles Times

If someone wins Saturday’s jackpot, they can choose between periodic payments totaling $950 million or the lump sum payment of $428.9 million, according to the release.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annual 
• intermittent 
• monthly 
• occasional 
• recurrent 
• recurring 
• regular 
• repeated 
• routine 
• seasonal 
• sporadic 
• weekly 
• yearly