oscillation

oscillation — noun

1. a pattern of motion or change in which something keeps going one way and then ba

1.名詞C2
釋義

a pattern of motion or change in which something keeps going one way and then back again

例句

The lamp's oscillation grew slower as the train came to a stop.

physical oscillation of an object

Scientists measured the oscillation of the bridge during the strong wind.

oscillation of + structure

同義詞
  • swing

    often used for a visible side-to-side movement, especially of an object

  • fluctuation

    fits changing numbers or levels better than visible motion

  • movement

    much broader and does not itself suggest repeated return

反義詞
  • stillness

    complete lack of movement

  • stability

    no repeated rise and fall in level or condition

文法句型

oscillation of + moving thing

oscillation in + prices/levels

用法筆記

Often followed by of for a moving thing and in for changing amounts such as prices or levels. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense describes the continuing back-and-forth pattern, not one single cycle.

常見錯誤

❌The rope made one oscillation and then stopped, so the oscillation was short.
✅The rope made one oscillation and then stopped, so the swing was short.
💡This sense usually describes an ongoing pattern; for one complete movement, use sense 4.

2. a repeated shift between different feelings, ideas, opinions, or ways of behavin

2.名詞C2
釋義

a repeated shift between different feelings, ideas, opinions, or ways of behaving

例句

Mina's oscillation between hope and fear kept her awake all night.

oscillation between A and B

The mayor's oscillation between support and doubt over the plan confused local shop owners.

oscillation between support and doubt

同義詞
  • wavering

    often suggests uncertainty about a choice or opinion

  • indecision

    focuses on failure to choose rather than movement between feelings

  • fluctuation

    can fit moods or support levels, but is less personal in tone

反義詞

文法句型

oscillation between A and B

oscillation from A to B

oscillation in + feeling/opinion

用法筆記

Usually appears with between, from ... to ..., or in when someone keeps changing mentally or emotionally. Distinguish from sense 1: the movement here is in attitude or feeling, not in physical space.

常見錯誤

❌His oscillation about the trip means he has decided.
✅His oscillation about the trip means he keeps changing his mind.
💡This sense shows repeated change, not a final decision.

3. a regular pattern where electrical flow or a wave keeps rising, falling, or reve

3.名詞C2
釋義

a regular pattern where electrical flow or a wave keeps rising, falling, or reversing

例句

The screen showed an oscillation in the radio signal every second.

oscillation in + signal

Engineers traced the loud hum to oscillation in the current feeding the old lift.

oscillation in + current

同義詞
  • vibration

    often refers to rapid physical shaking, not specifically wave or current behaviour

  • fluctuation

    broader and less technical; it does not always imply a regular pattern

  • variation

    a general technical word for change in value or direction

反義詞

文法句型

oscillation in + signal/current

oscillation of + wave

用法筆記

Common in physics and engineering. It is usually followed by in with words like signal, current, and voltage, and it describes a regular pattern rather than random noise.

常見錯誤

❌The wire had an oscillation because it bent once.
✅The wire showed oscillation because the current kept rising and falling.
💡This sense is about a repeated wave or electrical pattern, not one physical bend.

4. one full movement from one outer point to the opposite one in a repeating back-a

4.名詞C2
釋義

one full movement from one outer point to the opposite one in a repeating back-and-forth pattern

例句

Each oscillation of the pendulum took just under one second.

oscillation of + pendulum

Grandpa's clock loses time when one oscillation of the pendulum becomes too slow.

one oscillation of + pendulum

同義詞
  • cycle

    the closest general term for one complete repeated unit

  • swing

    works well for physical side-to-side movement, especially visible motion

  • period

    in science, often refers to the time taken for one full cycle rather than the cycle itself

反義詞
  • pause

    a stop rather than a completed unit of movement

文法句型

one oscillation of + pendulum/spring

count + oscillations

用法筆記

Often counted and used with measurements in science. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to one complete unit of motion, not the whole repeated process.

常見錯誤

❌The spring showed one oscillation, so the oscillation lasted for hours.
✅The spring showed one oscillation, but the motion lasted for hours.
💡One oscillation is a single cycle, while the longer repeated movement is sense 1.