vibratory

adjective

vi·​bra·​to·​ry ˈvī-brə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce vibratory (audio)
1
: consisting of, capable of, or causing vibration or oscillation
2
: characterized by vibration

Examples of vibratory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Voluntary muscle contractions were thought to cause the vibratory component of purring. Jorge Garay, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2023 Dorrance breaks out to the vibratory sounds of the saxophone, played by Matt Parker. Catherine Tharin, BostonGlobe.com, 21 July 2023 When these bodies are struck gently, but periodically, although each blow may be separately quite insufficient to produce a sensible motion in the vibratory body … very large and powerful oscillations may result. Samuel Ernest, Longreads, 2 May 2023 The devices on display include a vibratory chair, which supposedly cured constipation and headaches through shaking so violent that patients had to hold tight to its handles, and a fluoroscope, once casually used in shoe stores to X-ray customers’ feet. Emily Elert, Discover Magazine, 30 Mar. 2012 In the early aughts, a researcher proposed that purring might even have palliative properties for cats—pinging out vibratory frequencies that could, for instance, speed the healing of wounds or broken bones. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Sep. 2022 But the amplitude — or the extent of a vibratory movement — of the instrument was too small, and his body also became used to it, mitigating the VibraCussor’s impact. Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2021 One got a vibratory stimulus, in a form of a light tapping on its tank. Sara Harrison, Wired, 16 Apr. 2021 The behavior probably isn’t conscious—just something frog lungs are naturally able to do, via some unusual vibratory shenanigans. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vibratory.' 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

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vibratory was in 1728

Dictionary Entries Near vibratory

Cite this Entry

“Vibratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vibratory. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vibratory

adjective
vi·​bra·​to·​ry ˈvī-brə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce vibratory (audio)
-ˌtȯr-
: consisting of, capable of, or causing vibration

Medical Definition

vibratory

adjective
vi·​bra·​to·​ry ˈvī-brə-ˌtōr-ē, -ˌtȯr- How to pronounce vibratory (audio)
1
: of, consisting in, capable of, or causing vibration or oscillation
cutaneous vibratory sensation
2
: characterized by vibration
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