vibration

[ vahy-brey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of vibrating, or an instance of vibratory motion; oscillation; quiver; tremor.
2. the state of being vibrated.
3. Physics.
   1. the oscillating, reciprocating, or other periodic motion of a rigid or elastic body or medium forced from a position or state of equilibrium.
   2. the analogous motion of the particles of a mass of air or the like, whose state of equilibrium has been disturbed, as in transmitting sound.
4. a supernatural emanation, bearing good or ill, that is sensed by or revealed to those attuned to the occult.
5. Often vibrations. Informal. vibe ( defs 1, 2 ).

vibration

/ vaɪˈbreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of vibrating
2. physics
   1. a periodic motion about an equilibrium position, such as the regular displacement of air in the propagation of sound
   2. a single cycle of such a motion
3. the process or state of vibrating or being vibrated

vibration

/ vī-brā′shən /

1. A rapid oscillation of a particle, particles, or elastic solid or surface, back and forth across a central position.

Derived Forms

• viˈbrationless, adjective
• viˈbrational, adjective

Other Words From

• vi·bra·tion·al adjective
• vi·bra·tion·less adjective
• non·vi·bra·tion noun
• re·vi·bra·tion noun
• un·vi·bra·tion·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vibration¹

First recorded in 1645–55, and in 1965–70 vibration fordef 5; from Latin vibrātiōn- (stem of vibrātiō ); vibrate, -ion

Example Sentences

It can be caused by heat, vibrations, magnetic fluctuations, or any host of environmental factors that are hard to control.

From Singularity Hub 

As with Gough’s rubber, an entropy drop in the metal’s structure requires a rise in the entropy of its atomic vibrations, which heats the material.

From Quanta Magazine

People associate the rolling sound of a truck with the vibration they feel.

From Science News

With fewer vibrations, players can transfer more hitting power, or rebound energy, to the ball.

From Science News For Students

A smaller distance means fewer vibrations when a ball hits the bat.

From Science News For Students

Every day on the set of 12 Years A Slave there was a high vibration of focus, but that day in particular it was acute.

From The Daily Beast

But after the fifth consecutive call—the vibration interrupting my conversation with perplexed hosts—I politely stepped away.

From The Daily Beast

Vibration promotes life and vigour, strength and beauty...Vibrate Your Body and Make It Well.

From The Daily Beast

One man said when the temblor struck he heard a “roaring sound” and felt a violent vibration—“I never felt like that before.”

From The Daily Beast

The hellish, screeching vibration was somehow absorbed by the timber structure of the house.

From The Daily Beast

Besides this fundamental or primary vibration, the movement divides itself into segments, or sections, of the entire length.

From Project Gutenberg

Since this is a law of vibration, it is unscientific to speak of giving an overtone, for all tones contain overtones.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Vivian had hardly spoken when the sharp little vibration of her door-bell was heard in the hall.

From Project Gutenberg

From above, through the ceiling, came the vibration of some machine at work, and the machine might have been the loom of time.

From Project Gutenberg

Perhaps another reason may be named in the wood being so ripe and dry as to permit free vibration.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fluctuation
• oscillation
• pulse
• reverberation
• tremor