oscillator

UK: /ˈɒsɪˌleɪtə/ US: (os′ə lā′tər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

os•cil•la•tor  (os′ə lā′tər), n. 

1. Electronics a circuit that produces an alternating output current of a certain frequency determined by the characteristics of the circuit components.
2. Mechanical Engineering a device or machine producing oscillations.
3. a person or thing that oscillates.

• Neo-Latin, equivalent. to Latin oscillā(re) to swing (see oscillate) + -tor -tor
• 1825–35

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

oscillator / ˈɒsɪˌleɪtə/ noun

1. a circuit or instrument for producing an alternating current or voltage of a required frequency
2. any instrument for producing oscillations
3. a person or thing that oscillates

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

os•cil•late /ˈɑsəˌleɪt/   v. [no object] , -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 

1. to swing or move to and fro, forward and back, or side to side:
   The pendulum oscillated.
2. to vary, change, or switch between differing or opposite beliefs, conditions, moods, etc.;
   vacillate.

os•cil•la•tor, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

os•cil•late  (os′ə lāt′), v., -lat•ed, -lat•ing. 
v.i. 

1. to swing or move to and fro, as a pendulum does.
2. to vary or vacillate between differing beliefs, opinions, conditions, etc.:
   He oscillates regularly between elation and despair.
3. Physics to have, produce, or generate oscillations.
4. Mathematics (of a function, sequence, etc.) to tend to no limit, including infinity:
   The sequence 0, 1, 0, 1, … oscillates.

v.t. 

5. to cause to move to and fro;
   vibrate.

• Latin oscillātus (past participle of oscillāre to swing, ride on a swing), equivalent. to oscill(um) a swing + -ātus -ate¹
• 1720–30

Synonyms

• 1. See swing ¹.
• 2. fluctuate, waver.