periodic

adjective

pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
1
a
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
b
: occurring repeatedly from time to time
2
a
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages, processes, or digits : cyclic
periodic decimals
a periodic vibration
b
: being a function any value of which recurs at regular intervals
3
: expressed in or characterized by periodic sentences

Examples of periodic in a Sentence

He takes the car in for periodic oil changes. sent out periodic reminders about the office dress code
Recent Examples on the Web The remaining construction will lead to periodic lane restrictions, like short-term, single-lane closures. The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in periodic reports, Network-1 expressly disclaims any future obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein. Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Between now and 2044 in the US, the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers are expected to hand over the reins of their significant wealth to Millennials, according to The Wealth Report, a periodic report from global property consultant Knight Frank. Anna Bahney, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 The war in Gaza has exacerbated that sense of distance, with periodic power outages and scarce internet leaving people there more cut off than ever from the outside world. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 That’s the theme of Children Now’s latest version of its periodic scorecard on the state’s youth. Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024 Considered for a long time impossible by classic crystallographic rules, quasicrystals, first discovered in the 1980s, have a distinct chemical formula like other minerals, but the atomic pattern is not periodic. David Bressan, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Last month, the State Department issued its periodic Travel Advisory for U.S. citizens. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Feb. 2024 Electric scooters require periodic maintenance for their brakes and tires, though Malaviya suggests regularly checking for issues. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'periodic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of periodic was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near periodic

Cite this Entry

“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

periodic

adjective
pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
1
: occurring at regular intervals
2
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages
periodic vibrations

Medical Definition

periodic

adjective
pe·​ri·​od·​ic ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik How to pronounce periodic (audio)
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics

More from Merriam-Webster on periodic

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