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
1
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."
2
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."
3
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- oscillators
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."
Rhymes for oscillator
See all rhymes for oscillator →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.
