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."
"I felt a faint vibration in my pocket when the phone rang."
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."
"The room gave off a friendly vibration that made everyone relax."
"I don't like the vibrations coming from that crowd tonight."
How to use vibration
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rapid shaking motion, or informally, a sensed mood or feeling.
Common pairings
feel the vibration
good vibrations
vibration from the engine
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like vibration.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- vibrations
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."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for vibration
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include vibration:
