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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

vibration

veye-BRAY-shuhn

Vibration (noun) means a rapid, repeated back-and-forth movement, or the state of shaking in this way. Example: “The vibration from the machinery could be felt through the floor.”

noun
1
A rapid, repeated back-and-forth movement, or the state of shaking in this way.
"The vibration from the machinery could be felt through the floor."
"Engineers measured the vibration of the bridge under heavy traffic."
2
(informal) A sensed atmosphere or feeling given off by a person or situation.
"She picked up on some odd vibrations as soon as she walked in."

How to Use Vibration

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rapid shaking motion, or informally, a sensed mood or feeling.

Common pairings
feel the vibration good vibrations vibration from the engine

Word Forms

vibrations plural

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Test yourself on “vibration” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ from the machinery could be felt through the floor.

Etymology

From Latin vibratio, "a shaking or brandishing," from vibrare, "to vibrate."

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for vibration

See all rhymes for vibration →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “vibration” mean?

The word “vibration” means a rapid, repeated back-and-forth movement, or the state of shaking in this way. In plain terms, a rapid shaking motion, or informally, a sensed mood or feeling.

How do you pronounce “vibration”?

“Vibration” is pronounced veye-BRAY-shuhn (/vaɪˈbɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “vibration” in a sentence?

Here is “vibration” used in a sentence: “The vibration from the machinery could be felt through the floor.”

What part of speech is “vibration”?

“Vibration” is a noun.

Where does the word “vibration” come from?

The word “vibration” comes from Latin. From Latin vibratio, "a shaking or brandishing," from vibrare, "to vibrate.".

Is “vibration” a common word?

“Vibration” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “vibration” have?

“Vibration” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rapid, repeated back-and-forth movement, or the state of shaking in this way.

What is the difference between vibration and oscillation?

Vibration refers to a rapid, repeated back-and-forth movement or the state of shaking in this way, while oscillation is a more general term for any repeating variation, which can include vibration but also covers motions like swinging or wave patterns.

What does "vibrations" mean in informal speech?

Informally, "vibrations" or "vibes" refer to a sensed atmosphere or feeling given off by a person or situation, such as picking up on good or bad vibrations in a room.

What causes physical vibration?

Physical vibration is a rapid, repeated back-and-forth movement, which can be caused by mechanical forces, sound waves, or other energy acting on an object and making it shake.

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