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
The market seems a little confused about how to grade Disney’s report, evidenced by the stock’s fluctuation between gains and losses.
—Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
This negative outcome is attributed to various market factors, including possible fluctuations in crude oil prices and operational challenges.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025
The report used each repeat sale to compute the compound annual return (CAR) of the fluctuation in price over time between purchase and sale.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The resulting geomagnetic storm is expected to produce a moderate (G1-class) geomagnetic storm, which could cause weak fluctuations in power grids but also bring the northern lights to high latitude states like northern Maine and Michigan.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fluctuation 
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Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 5 Feb. 2025
This negative outcome is attributed to various market factors, including possible fluctuations in crude oil prices and operational challenges.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 31 Jan. 2025
The report used each repeat sale to compute the compound annual return (CAR) of the fluctuation in price over time between purchase and sale.
—George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 31 Jan. 2025
The resulting geomagnetic storm is expected to produce a moderate (G1-class) geomagnetic storm, which could cause weak fluctuations in power grids but also bring the northern lights to high latitude states like northern Maine and Michigan.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
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 10 Feb. 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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