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
The fluctuations were presented in a record that became known as the Keeling Curve, which demonstrated carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were increasing every year.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 6 June 2025
This total fell from a peak of 233 suburbs in 2018, highlighting both rapid growth and some fluctuation as market conditions, development, and demographics changed.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
There will likely be some fluctuation in costs in the US, but this gives us a vague estimate of how much to expect things to increase, considering most of these costs are due to higher manufacturing costs.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
And these fluctuations aren’t limited to just one sector; tech, finance, retail and even healthcare startups must learn to navigate these turbulent waters.
—Will Fan, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for fluctuation
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 6 June 2025
This total fell from a peak of 233 suburbs in 2018, highlighting both rapid growth and some fluctuation as market conditions, development, and demographics changed.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
There will likely be some fluctuation in costs in the US, but this gives us a vague estimate of how much to expect things to increase, considering most of these costs are due to higher manufacturing costs.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
And these fluctuations aren’t limited to just one sector; tech, finance, retail and even healthcare startups must learn to navigate these turbulent waters.
—Will Fan, Forbes.com, 4 June 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 9 Jun. 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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