vibration

American  

[vahy-bray-shuhn] / vaɪˈbreɪ ʃən /

noun

• vibrations
  plural

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.

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vibration British  

/ 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

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vibration Scientific  

/ vī-brā′shən /

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• vibrations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of vibration

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

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Explanation

A vibration is a shaking motion. If you feel a strong vibration in your car every time you step on the brakes, it might be a good idea to take it to a mechanic. You might feel a vibration in your floor when your neighbor is playing his music too loudly, and you'll know a thunderstorm is approaching when you feel the vibration of your trembling dog at your side. The rapid back and forth movement or quivering of an electric toothbrush or a mild earthquake is a vibration. The Latin vibratus, "move quickly to and fro" is the root word.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vibration vibrations

Those repeated readings allowed them to identify the moment when the vibration disappeared, and the sound jumped from an energy state of 1 to 0.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

“We’re very high on quality, and we’re high on authenticity. Music was always the main goal, and that’s why we chose Daptone; we’re on the same page about that, ‘cause music is a vibration.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 17, 2026

Federal air-safety regulators last year were seeking information related to severe vibration with such helicopter blades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

For its cross-Channel journey, the tapestry has been "folded up like a curtain" and "put in a very, very high-tech container" with climate and vibration controls to protect the delicate embroidery.

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

The door shimmered when they pulled together, a vibration that traveled all the way up their arms, then it opened so suddenly with an unsticking feel—like tearing loose a strip of silent Velcro.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

One attempt was string theory, which regarded particles as vibrations of tiny strands in space, with one kind causing gravity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026

Another important instrument will be a short-period seismometer, designed to detect vibrations and seismic activity, including moonquakes.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026

Because electric vehicles don't have the auditory cues and vibrations from the engine that we're used to, which indicate when the car is accelerating, this could trigger motion sickness, Di Giulio says.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Even extremely small vibrations or pointing errors could allow unwanted starlight to leak into an image and overwhelm the much dimmer planets scientists hope to detect.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026

It seemed to pass from her skin to his, moving up from his hands, up his arms in coursing vibrations of fear.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

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Related Words

• fluctuation
• oscillation
• pulse
• reverberation
• tremor

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