periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik 
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
Synonyms
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 company remains subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
—
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
America has periodic eruptions of political unrest, Ellis argued, but none has come close to a civil war.
—Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
On top of the periodic rattle of the transit trains and roar of sports fans, there’s the intrusion of illicit activities that keep him awake.
—Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024
The project, which is designed to include periodic nourishments every five to seven years for 50 years, got off to a rocky start when an original dredge location was delivering more rocks and pebbles than expected and a new borrow location had to be found.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for periodic 
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Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
America has periodic eruptions of political unrest, Ellis argued, but none has come close to a civil war.
—Charles Bethea, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
On top of the periodic rattle of the transit trains and roar of sports fans, there’s the intrusion of illicit activities that keep him awake.
—Jovi Dai, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024
The project, which is designed to include periodic nourishments every five to seven years for 50 years, got off to a rocky start when an original dredge location was delivering more rocks and pebbles than expected and a new borrow location had to be found.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for periodic
Dictionary Entries Near periodic
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
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
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics
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