periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈä-dik 
1
a
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
b
: occurring repeatedly from time to time
2
a
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages, processes, or digits : cyclic
periodic decimals
a periodic vibration
b
: being a function any value of which recurs at regular intervals
3
: expressed in or characterized by periodic sentences
Examples of periodic in a Sentence
He takes the car in for periodic oil changes.
sent out periodic reminders about the office dress code
Recent Examples on the Web
Modern belt drive systems, such as those from Gates, are made of a complex mixture of materials (above) that provide a service life far longer than a chain, operate in near silence, and require little to no maintenance, apart from periodic tension adjustments.
—
William Roberson, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The suit claims the Trump administration’s decision to cut short the duration of immigration and work authorizations for Haitians was done in violation of immigration law and without the proper periodic review that the TPS statute requires.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Funding agencies also require periodic reports and sometimes conduct audits to ensure compliance.
—Kelly S. Mix, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
And in addition to those periodic wallops, the Seaport suffers from a chronic sense of not being real.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
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William Roberson, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The suit claims the Trump administration’s decision to cut short the duration of immigration and work authorizations for Haitians was done in violation of immigration law and without the proper periodic review that the TPS statute requires.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Funding agencies also require periodic reports and sometimes conduct audits to ensure compliance.
—Kelly S. Mix, The Conversation, 22 May 2025
And in addition to those periodic wallops, the Seaport suffers from a chronic sense of not being real.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for periodic
Cite this Entry
“Periodic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periodic. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
1
: occurring at regular intervals
2
: consisting of or containing a series of repeated stages
periodic vibrations
Medical Definition
periodic
adjective
pe·ri·od·ic
ˌpir-ē-ˈäd-ik
: occurring or recurring at regular intervals
periodic epidemics
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