vibration

American  

[vahy-brey-shuhn] / vaɪˈbreɪ ʃən /

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.

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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

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

Etymology

Origin of vibration

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

Example Sentences

These shock waves cause vibrations that move across the ground, triggering seismometers along the debris' path.

From Science Daily

At the time, most researchers thought these animals primarily detected sound through bone conduction, or through so-called "jaw listening," by placing their lower jaws against the ground to sense vibrations.

From Science Daily

Engineers have taken a major step toward producing the smallest earthquakes ever created, shrinking seismic-style vibrations down to the scale of a microchip.

From Science Daily

Given that there were no storms, no flooding, and no significant vibration from the train passing underneath, "natural causes can almost entirely be ruled out as the origin of the incident", Amorn said.

From BBC

Testing of the vehicles was paused and several investigations are being conducted after around 30 soldiers became ill from noise and vibration during a training exercise last year.

From BBC

Related Words

• fluctuation
• oscillation
• pulse
• reverberation
• tremor