Oscillator

noun

noun ·4 syllables ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A tuned electronic circuit used to generate a continuous output waveform.
  2. 2
    generator that produces sonic oscillations or alternating current wordnet
  3. 3
    An instrument for measuring rigidity by the torsional oscillations of a weighted wire.
  4. 4
    A pattern that returns to its original state, in the same orientation and position, after a finite number of generations.

    "He has turned up a number of new oscillators of periods 2,3,4,5,6, & 8."

Synonyms

All synonyms
amplifiercomponentdeviceelectrical parts and devicesgeneratormetronome

Example

More examples

"Its payload is practically symbolic: a 100-kilogram satellite with a projected one-year life span containing an experimental oscillator that emits ultra short laser pulses."

Etymology

From oscillate + -or.

Related phrases

Armstrong oscillatorHartley oscillatorMeissner oscillatorOudin oscillatorbeat frequency oscillatorelectronic oscillatorharmonic oscillatorpiezoelectric oscillatorring oscillatorsimple harmonic oscillator

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.