noun

oscillator

Oscillator (noun) means an electronic circuit built to produce a continuous, repeating wave signal. Example: “The synthesizer's oscillator generates the raw tone before any effects are applied.”

noun

An electronic circuit built to produce a continuous, repeating wave signal.

"The synthesizer's oscillator generates the raw tone before any effects are applied."

"A faulty oscillator can throw an entire radio transmitter out of tune."

A device that measures how stiff a material is by twisting a weighted wire and timing its back-and-forth motion.

"The lab used a torsion oscillator to test the wire's rigidity."

In cellular automata such as Conway's Game of Life, a pattern that cycles back to its original shape after a fixed number of steps.

"The "blinker" is the simplest known oscillator in the Game of Life."

How to use oscillator

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that keeps producing a repeating back-and-forth pattern — most often an electronic circuit generating a wave.

Common pairings

electronic oscillator crystal oscillator oscillator circuit

Word forms

oscillators plural

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Fill the gap

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The synthesizer's _____ generates the raw tone before any effects are applied.

Etymology

Formed by adding the agent suffix "-or" to "oscillate," from Latin oscillare, "to swing."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for oscillator

gator orator locator aviator senator equator Creator curator rotator operator agitator elevator

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Frequently asked questions

What does “oscillator” mean?

The word “oscillator” means an electronic circuit built to produce a continuous, repeating wave signal. In plain terms, something that keeps producing a repeating back-and-forth pattern — most often an electronic circuit generating a wave.

How do you use “oscillator” in a sentence?

Here is “oscillator” used in a sentence: “The synthesizer's oscillator generates the raw tone before any effects are applied.”

What part of speech is “oscillator”?

“Oscillator” is a noun.

Where does the word “oscillator” come from?

The word “oscillator” comes from Latin. Formed by adding the agent suffix "-or" to "oscillate," from Latin oscillare, "to swing.".

How many meanings does “oscillator” have?

“Oscillator” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an electronic circuit built to produce a continuous, repeating wave signal.