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
When a customer's spend changes month to month, is that churn, expansion or just normal usage fluctuation?
—Alvaro Morales, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Burch’s other reasons behind this fluctuation have to do with our progressing society.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 May 2025
British travelers, however, are largely impervious to currency fluctuations.
—Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 13 May 2025
While fluctuations in the Trump coin's price have resulted in massive profits for a fortunate few, hundreds of thousands of investors have reportedly lost money on the coin.
—Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
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Alvaro Morales, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Burch’s other reasons behind this fluctuation have to do with our progressing society.
—Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 May 2025
British travelers, however, are largely impervious to currency fluctuations.
—Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 13 May 2025
While fluctuations in the Trump coin's price have resulted in massive profits for a fortunate few, hundreds of thousands of investors have reportedly lost money on the coin.
—Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 12 May 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 18 May. 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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