frequency

fre-quen-cy · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The rate at which something occurs or is repeated over a particular period of time or in a given sample.

  2. 2.

    (physics) The number of waves or cycles that pass a fixed point per unit of time, typically measured in hertz (Hz).

  3. 3.

    (statistics) The number of times a particular value or category occurs in a set of data.

  4. 4.

    A particular wavelength at which a radio station or other system broadcasts or transmits signals.

Forms

plural: frequencies

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    high frequency — occurring often or having many cycles per second
  • •
    low frequency — occurring rarely or having few cycles per second
  • •
    radio frequency — electromagnetic waves used for communication
  • •
    frequency modulation (FM) — method of encoding information on radio waves

Related words

Antonyms: infrequency, rarity
See also: frequencies, frequent, frequently, wavelength
Synonyms: incidence, rate, recurrence, regularity

Etymology

From Latin frequentia ("a crowding, multitude, numerous assembly"), from frequens ("crowded, numerous, frequent"). Entered English in the 16th century.