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. Informal.,  Often vibrations vibe.

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

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

Other Word Forms

• vibrationless adjective
• vibrational adjective
• nonvibration noun
• revibration noun
• unvibrational adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vibration¹

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

Example Sentences

They were apparently drawn by vibrations from their equipment, including a dry washer and a generator.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And when every cell phone vibration is liable to drive you up the wall, the last thing you need is a burst pipe and a giant hole in your ceiling.

Read more on Salon

“The vibration from San Francisco goes up to the steppes of Kazakhstan,” said Sanzhar, who is staying at a hotel in the Nob Hill neighborhood.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The vibrations in such shaking may feel like a truck has passed by.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"When other fish get caught in those nets they sort of flail and it sends out a vibration underwater, sort of like ringing the dinner bell," says Prof Pepin-Neff.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• fluctuation 
• oscillation 
• pulse 
• reverberation 
• tremor