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 Franzen
Examples of fluctuation in a Sentence
political instability that resulted in wild fluctuations in the overseas stock markets
Recent Examples on the Web
Examine search trends to see seasonal fluctuations and identify opportunities to adapt targeting.
—Bahram Moshrefnoory, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Manage these conditions by following your treatment plan to help prevent ferritin fluctuations.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Depression High added sugar intake can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, resulting in mood swings, irritability, and fatigue, which may worsen feelings of depression.
—Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Several models freeze their results the night before Election Day, and most major pollsters have concluded their surveys, meaning there is unlikely to be any more fluctuation in these predictions.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fluctuation 
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Bahram Moshrefnoory, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Manage these conditions by following your treatment plan to help prevent ferritin fluctuations.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Nov. 2024
Depression High added sugar intake can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, resulting in mood swings, irritability, and fatigue, which may worsen feelings of depression.
—Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Several models freeze their results the night before Election Day, and most major pollsters have concluded their surveys, meaning there is unlikely to be any more fluctuation in these predictions.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for fluctuation
Dictionary Entries Near fluctuation
Cite this Entry
“Fluctuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluctuation. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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