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
Under the agreement, the county secures a fixed electricity rate of 14 cents per kilowatt-hour, providing long-term cost stability and protecting taxpayers from future energy price fluctuations.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
The facilities employ wide-ranging telemetry of everything that happens inside, giving G42 the ability to monitor anomalies in real time, including fluctuations in compute levels that might suggest a customer is building AI models large enough to create national security concerns.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
This ongoing fluctuation is crucial.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
These fluctuations may increase the chances of rain, which could help alleviate the ongoing drought in the area.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
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Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Oct. 2025
The facilities employ wide-ranging telemetry of everything that happens inside, giving G42 the ability to monitor anomalies in real time, including fluctuations in compute levels that might suggest a customer is building AI models large enough to create national security concerns.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
This ongoing fluctuation is crucial.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
These fluctuations may increase the chances of rain, which could help alleviate the ongoing drought in the area.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 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 17 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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