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

/ ˌpɪərɪəˈdɪsɪtɪ; ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪk /

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

Derived Forms

• periodicity, noun
• ˌperiˈodically, adverb

Other Words From

• pe·ri·od·i·cal·ly adverb

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

Many woodlands have evolved to deal with and benefit from periodic fires.

From Vox

Even something as simple as periodic conversations with faculty members to mutually share any feedback, roadblocks, or advice can go a long way.

From Fortune

Despite periodic rallies, oil has remained persistently lower since then.

From 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.

From Fortune

Since 1962, periodic starfish population booms on the Great Barrier Reef have caused widespread coral death.

From Science News

Settlements in the West Bank have triggered periodic uprisings, the intifadas.

From The Daily Beast

The periodic agony that accompanies sickle cell was joined by the torment of persistent eye infections and repeated surgeries.

From The Daily Beast

And even now that ISIS has retreated from the area, it is still subject to periodic attacks from the Assad regime.

From The Daily Beast

And when you review the periodic table, take special note of Tungsten, or Wolfram.

From The Daily Beast

Conditioning the Fed to react less to periodic market tantrums will take a strong will.

From The Daily Beast

But when we made periodic inspections of boarding houses and the like, he was an entirely different person.

From Project Gutenberg

He had seen many sides of New York in the periodic lapses which kept him constantly in search of a new profession.

From Project Gutenberg

At times there are periodic attacks of mental perturbation that may become true insanity.

From Project Gutenberg

The 'periodic recurrence of intervals' here spoken of may be illustrated on the key-board of a piano.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand the periodic statement suspends the meaning to the end.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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