frequency
noun
fre·quen·cy
ˈfrē-kwən(t)-sē 
plural frequencies
1
: the fact or condition of occurring frequently
the frequency of automobile accidents
2
a
: the number of times that a periodic function repeats the same sequence of values during a unit variation of the independent variable
b
: the number, proportion, or percentage of items in a particular category in a set of data
3
: the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time: such as
a
: the number of complete alternations (see alternation sense 1) per second of an alternating current
b
: the number of complete oscillations (see oscillation sense 3) per second of energy (such as sound or electromagnetic radiation) in the form of waves
Examples of frequency in a Sentence
the alarming frequency of serious automobile accidents caused by young drivers
The frequency of student errors was frustrating to the young teacher.
Our visits decreased in frequency.
Errors were occurring with increasing frequency.
a sound wave of high frequency
waves having very different frequencies from one another
a current having a frequency of 60 hertz
a radio frequency of 30 megahertz
Recent Examples on the Web
The average overall activity is a mix of many different frequencies, with the five main ones called delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma waves.
—
Giridhar Kalamangalam, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
This potentially reduces the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.
—Syeda Khaula Saad, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2024
Dog owners could benefit from increasing the frequency of their animals’ baths.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Voters across the state have been faced with questions of whether to raise property taxes to fund public safety services with increasing frequency, according to the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
Shannon Castillo, according to CBS news, was one of two people who guessed correctly (103.9 miles, matching the radio station's carrier frequency).
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024
This has become harder as Israel strikes targets much further afield than the border area with growing frequency (Israeli airstrikes hit a major city in eastern Lebanon last week).
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
This is when one bacteria strain quickly rises in frequency due to a particular genetic advantage.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
In the next decade, the EHT Collaboration—which uses eight telescopes around the world to function as one, huge radio telescope—hopes to add more telescopes to its regime and observe at new frequencies.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
Giridhar Kalamangalam, Discover Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
This potentially reduces the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.
—Syeda Khaula Saad, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2024
Dog owners could benefit from increasing the frequency of their animals’ baths.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024
Voters across the state have been faced with questions of whether to raise property taxes to fund public safety services with increasing frequency, according to the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum.
—Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024
Shannon Castillo, according to CBS news, was one of two people who guessed correctly (103.9 miles, matching the radio station's carrier frequency).
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024
This has become harder as Israel strikes targets much further afield than the border area with growing frequency (Israeli airstrikes hit a major city in eastern Lebanon last week).
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024
This is when one bacteria strain quickly rises in frequency due to a particular genetic advantage.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2024
In the next decade, the EHT Collaboration—which uses eight telescopes around the world to function as one, huge radio telescope—hopes to add more telescopes to its regime and observe at new frequencies.
—Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'frequency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing frequency
Dictionary Entries Near frequency
Cite this Entry
“Frequency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/frequency. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
frequency
noun
fre·quen·cy
ˈfrē-kwən-sē
plural frequencies
1
: the fact or condition of happening often
2
: how often something happens : rate of repetition
3
: the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time: as
a
: the number of times per second that an electric current flowing in one direction changes direction then changes back
a current having a frequency of 60 hertz
b
: the number of waves (as of sound or electromagnetic energy) that pass a fixed point each second
a sound having a frequency of 1500 hertz
the frequency of yellow light
4
: the number or proportion of one kind of item in a group
the frequency of chocolate doughnuts in the box
Medical Definition
frequency
noun
fre·quen·cy
ˈfrē-kwən-sē
plural frequencies
1
: the number of individuals in a single class when objects are classified according to variations in a set of one or more specified attributes
2
: the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time
More from Merriam-Webster on frequency
Nglish: Translation of frequency for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of frequency for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about frequency
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