periodic

[ peer-ee-od-ik ]

/ ˌpɪər iˈɒd ɪk /

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See synonyms for: periodic / periodically on Thesaurus.com

adjective

recurring at intervals of time: periodic revivals of an interest in handicrafts.

occurring or appearing at regular intervals: periodic visits by doctors to the village.

repeated at irregular intervals; intermittent: periodic outbreaks of the disease.

Physics. recurring at equal intervals of time.

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

Astronomy.

characterized by a series of successive circuits or revolutions, as the motion of a planet or satellite.
of or relating to a period, as of the revolution of a heavenly body.

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

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Origin of periodic

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

OTHER WORDS FROM periodic

pe·ri·od·i·cal·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH periodic

periodic , periodical

Words nearby periodic

perineurium, perinuclear, period, periodate, period drama, periodic, periodic acid, periodic acid-Schiff, periodical, periodical cicada, periodically

Other definitions for periodic (2 of 2)

periodic²

[ pur-ahy-od-ik ]

/ ˌpɜr aɪˈɒd ɪk /

adjective Chemistry.

of or derived from a periodic acid.

Origin of periodic

First recorded in 1830–40; per- + iodic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use periodic in a sentence

Many woodlands have evolved to deal with and benefit from periodic fires.
Colorado is fighting its largest wildfire in history. Other massive blazes are close behind.|Umair Irfan|October 22, 2020|Vox
Even something as simple as periodic conversations with faculty members to mutually share any feedback, roadblocks, or advice can go a long way.
If companies don’t recruit from HBCUs, they’re missing out on promising employees|jakemeth|September 25, 2020|Fortune
Despite periodic rallies, oil has remained persistently lower since then.
After the boom: Canada’s oil capital faces an uncertain future|kdunn6|September 21, 2020|Fortune
If the coronavirus starts to regularly circulate like viruses that cause the common cold and seasonal influenza currently do, future vaccination programs might encourage more vulnerable populations to receive periodic vaccinations.
What the first confirmed COVID-19 reinfection tells us about a future vaccine|Naomi Xu Elegant|August 25, 2020|Fortune

Since 1962, periodic starfish population booms on the Great Barrier Reef have caused widespread coral death.
Fish poop exposes what eats the destructive crown-of-thorns starfish|Jake Buehler|June 8, 2020|Science News
Settlements in the West Bank have triggered periodic uprisings, the intifadas.
War of Words Between Israel and UN Continues|Betsy Pisik|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The periodic agony that accompanies sickle cell was joined by the torment of persistent eye infections and repeated surgeries.
Killed by Donald Sterling’s Racism|Michael Daly|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And even now that ISIS has retreated from the area, it is still subject to periodic attacks from the Assad regime.
Millions of Refugees from Syria’s War Are Clinging to Life In Toxic Conditions|Christopher Looney|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And when you review the periodic table, take special note of Tungsten, or Wolfram.
How I Write: Doug Dorst|Noah Charney|February 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conditioning the Fed to react less to periodic market tantrums will take a strong will.
Janet Yellen Succeeds in the Senate Without Really Trying|Daniel Gross|November 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But when we made periodic inspections of boarding houses and the like, he was an entirely different person.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
He had seen many sides of New York in the periodic lapses which kept him constantly in search of a new profession.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
At times there are periodic attacks of mental perturbation that may become true insanity.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley
The 'periodic recurrence of intervals' here spoken of may be illustrated on the key-board of a piano.
The Modes of Ancient Greek Music|David Binning Monro
On the other hand the periodic statement suspends the meaning to the end.
English: Composition and Literature|W. F. (William Franklin) Webster

British Dictionary definitions for periodic

periodic

/ (ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪk) /

adjective

happening or recurring at intervals; intermittent

of, relating to, or resembling a period

having or occurring in repeated periods or cycles

Derived forms of periodic

periodically, adverbperiodicity (ˌpɪərɪəˈdɪsɪtɪ), noun

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

Medical definitions for periodic

periodic

[ pîr′ē-ŏd′ĭk ]

adj.

Having or marked by repeated cycles.

Recurring at regular intervals.

periodic

Origin of periodic

OTHER WORDS FROM periodic

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH periodic

Words nearby periodic

Other definitions for periodic (2 of 2)

Origin of periodic

Words related to periodic

How to use periodic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for periodic

Derived forms of periodic

Medical definitions for periodic