fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən 
-chü-ˈā-
plural fluctuations
: an act or instance of fluctuating : an irregular shifting back and forth or up and down in the level, strength, or value of something
Small fluctuations in prices are to be expected.
Some fluctuation in real estate values is not unusual.
North American species in general, having contended with blazing July days and frosty September nights as they evolved, are much more tolerant of temperature fluctuations than tropical species are.—
Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan FranzenExamples of fluctuation in a Sentence
political instability that resulted in wild fluctuations in the overseas stock markets
Recent Examples on the Web
Like many other countries, there will have been fluctuations, often inspired by the pandemic, throughout these years.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The reason these two scenarios — with and without dark matter — create two different spectra for temperature fluctuations is because the physics is different between the two cases.
—Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Even in countries in the Global South throughout Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, where the dollar is typically strong, fluctuations can quickly erode spending power, driving up the cost of living overnight.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Staying invested through every cycle allows your money the chance to grow, regardless of short-term fluctuations.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
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Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The reason these two scenarios — with and without dark matter — create two different spectra for temperature fluctuations is because the physics is different between the two cases.
—Big Think, 23 Oct. 2025
Even in countries in the Global South throughout Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, where the dollar is typically strong, fluctuations can quickly erode spending power, driving up the cost of living overnight.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Staying invested through every cycle allows your money the chance to grow, regardless of short-term fluctuations.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluctuation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fluctuation
noun
fluc·tu·a·tion
ˌflək-chə-ˈwā-shən
1
: a motion like that of waves
especially
: the wavelike motion of a fluid collected in a natural or artificial cavity of the body observed by palpation or percussion
2
a
: a slight and nonheritable variation
especially
: such a variation occurring in response to environmental factors
b
: recurrent and often more or less cyclic alteration (as of form, size, or color of a bodily part)
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