vibration

noun vi·bra·tion \vī-ˈbrā-shən\

: a continuous slight shaking movement : a series of small, fast movements back and forth or from side to side

vibrations : a feeling that someone or something gives you

Full Definition of VIBRATION

a : a periodic motion of the particles of an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite directions from the position of equilibrium when that equilibrium has been disturbed (as when a stretched cord produces musical tones or molecules in the air transmit sounds to the ear)

b : the action of vibrating : the state of being vibrated or in vibratory motion: as (1) : oscillation (2) : a quivering or trembling motion : quiver

: an instance of vibration

: vacillation in opinion or action : wavering

a : a characteristic emanation, aura, or spirit that infuses or vitalizes someone or something and that can be instinctively sensed or experienced —often used in plural

b : a distinctive usually emotional atmosphere capable of being sensed —usually used in plural

— vi·bra·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— vi·bra·tion·less \-shən-ləs\ adjective

See vibration defined for English-language learners

See vibration defined for kids

First Known Use of VIBRATION

1635

Related to VIBRATION

Synonyms: jiggling, oscillation, quivering, shaking, shivering, shuddering, trembling, twitching

Rhymes with VIBRATION

aeration, Alsatian, carnation, castration, causation, cessation, cetacean, citation, Claymation, cognation, collation, conflation, C ration, creation, cremation, crenation, Croatian, crustacean, dalmatian, damnation, deflation, delation, dictation, dilation, donation, earth station, elation, Eurasian, filtration, fixation, flirtation, flotation, formation, foundation, frustration, gas station, gestation, gradation, gustation, guttation, gyration, hydration, inflation, lactation, legation, libation, location, lunation, lustration, luxation, migration, mutation, narration, negation, notation, oblation, oration, outstation, ovation, palmation, palpation, plantation, potation, predation, privation, probation, pronation, proration, prostration, pulsation, punctation, pupation, purgation, relation, rogation, rotation, salvation, sedation, sensation, serration, space station, stagflation, stagnation, starvation, striation, substation, summation, tarnation, taxation, temptation, translation, truncation, vacation, vexation, vocation, way station, workstation

VIBRATION Defined for Kids

vibration

noun vi·bra·tion \vī-ˈbrā-shən\

Definition of VIBRATION for Kids

: a rapid motion (as of a stretched cord) back and forth

: the action of moving or causing to move back and forth or from side to side very quickly : the state of being swung back and forth

: a trembling motion

Medical Dictionary

vibration

noun vi·bra·tion \vī-ˈbrā-shən\

Medical Definition of VIBRATION

a : a periodic motion of the particles of an elastic body or medium in alternately opposite directions from the position of equilibrium when that equilibrium has been disturbed (as when particles of air transmit sounds to the ear) b : the action of vibrating : the state of being vibrated or in vibratory motion

: an instance of vibration