Frequency

/ˈfriːkwənsi/

Meaning & Definition

noun
The rate at which something occurs over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
The frequency of natural disasters has increased in the past decade.
The number of times a particular value occurs in a data set.
The frequency of each score in the survey was recorded for analysis.
In physics, the number of waves that pass a fixed point in unit time, typically measured in hertz.
The sound wave has a frequency of 440 hertz, which corresponds to the musical note A.
The condition of being frequent; often or repeatedly occurring.
He visits his grandmother with a frequency that is admirable.
The number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time.
The doctor recommended a frequency of three times a week for the exercise routine.

Etymology

From Middle French 'fréquence' and Latin 'frequentia'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

high frequency
An occurrence or rate that happens often.
low frequency
An occurrence or rate that happens infrequently.
frequency modulation
A technique used in electronic communication to encode information in a carrier wave by varying its frequency.

Related Words

oscillation
The repeated back and forth movement around a central point.
wave
A disturbance traveling through space and matter, characterized by its frequency.
period
The duration of one cycle in a repeating event.

Slang Meanings

Frequency in social media or content creation spectrum.
We need to increase our posting frequency to stay relevant.
Used to refer to how often someone engages or interacts.
His frequency of messages is getting a bit overwhelming.