vibration

American  

[vahy-brey-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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• vibrations
  plural

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

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

It also detailed a timeline of events given by the flight crew, who said they received a "high vibration" engine alert during the climb.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

For others, the low-frequency sound can cause physical discomfort or illness and may also feel like a vibration moving through the body.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 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

There was a slight vibration thrumming the wall against the fingers of Powell’s metal-incased hand.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

When the vibrations stopped, the crew continued to climb on autopilot, the report said.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

Pilots received indications of high vibrations in one of the jet’s two engines, followed by a loud bang, according to the report.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

"If you're out here too long, the vibrations -- that wave sound makes you nauseous."

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Ice makes the surrounding material stiffer, allowing vibrations to travel two to three times faster than they do through dry soil.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 3, 2026

Music, is of course, more than entertainment, and affects the body directly through its sound vibrations.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• fluctuation
• oscillation
• pulse
• reverberation
• tremor