periodical

[ peer-ee-od-i-kuhl ]

/ ˌpɪər iˈɒd ɪ kəl /

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See synonyms for periodical on Thesaurus.com

noun

a magazine or other journal that is issued at regularly recurring intervals.

adjective

published at regularly recurring intervals.

of or relating to such publications.

periodic¹.

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Origin of periodical

First recorded in 1595–1605; periodic¹ + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM periodical

pe·ri·od·i·cal·ism, nounpe·ri·od·i·cal·ist, nounpe·ri·od·i·cal·ness, nounnon·pe·ri·od·i·cal, adjective, noun

un·pe·ri·od·i·cal, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH periodical

periodic, periodical

Words nearby periodical

period, periodate, period drama, periodic, periodic acid, periodical, periodical cicada, periodically, periodic attractor, periodic decimal, periodic function

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use periodical in a sentence

Because the Brood X periodical cicadas appear only every 17 years, we lack the historical data needed to finely calibrate our predictions.
Abnormally chilly weather to hover over D.C., may delay cicada outburst|Jason Samenow|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
For most of their lives — either 13 or 17 years, depending on the type — periodical cicadas are out of sight, residing underground and slurping up fluid from tree roots.
Cicada Brood X’s legacy: Bird babies and well-fertilized trees|Benji Jones|April 16, 2021|Vox
The phrase comes from an interview Neel gave to the communist periodical the Daily Worker in 1950.
Alice Neel was the greatest American portraitist of the 20th century. Her work continues to astonish.|Sebastian Smee|March 25, 2021|Washington Post
Meccano magazine, a periodical that published Meccano instructions and advice for “Meccano boys,” regularly featured technical devices made by grown-ups with Meccano components.
Toys Are the Future of Philosophy - Issue 93: Forerunners|Jonathon Keats|December 9, 2020|Nautilus

Modern Huntsman is a beautiful periodical filled with quality writing and photography.
The Beginner's Guide to Hunting|Ian Fohrman|October 30, 2020|Outside Online
What the Tea Party needed was its own periodical, he concluded.
Steven Allen: The Tea Party’s Editor in Chief|David A. Graham|February 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
His paper commenced in March, 1803, in the 15th year of the colony, and was the first Australian periodical.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The celebrated Kepler discovered his canon for the periodical motion of the planets.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
And at the foot of the same page there is a note in which it is stated that this "was probably some periodical paper of 1767."
Notes and Queries, Number 196, July 30, 1853|Various
They had also periodical conferences in London for a week at a time, at which they formulated a common policy.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
He often took part in debates in parliament, and was a frequent contributor to periodical literature.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

British Dictionary definitions for periodical

periodical

/ (ˌpɪərɪˈɒdɪkəl) /

noun

a publication issued at regular intervals, usually monthly or weekly

adjective

of or relating to such publications

published at regular intervals

periodic or occasional

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

periodical

Origin of periodical

OTHER WORDS FROM periodical

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH periodical

Words nearby periodical

Words related to periodical

How to use periodical in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for periodical