Periodical

/ˌpɪəriˈɒdɪkəl/

nounBeginner📊CommonInformation
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A magazine or newspaper published at regular intervals.

/ˌpɪəriˈɒdɪkəl/

nounneutralBeginner
Information

She enjoys reading periodicals on art history.

💡 Simply: Imagine a magazine that comes out every week or month, like your favorite comic book or a cooking magazine. That's a periodical! It's a way to get news, stories, or information on a regular schedule.

👶 For kids: A book or magazine that comes out again and again, like every week or month!

More Examples

2

The library has a wide selection of periodicals.

3

He found a fascinating article in a recent periodical.

How It's Used

Publishing

"I subscribe to several scientific periodicals."

Academic

"Scholarly articles are often published in academic periodicals."

2

Published or appearing at regular intervals; recurring from time to time.

/ˌpɪəriˈɒdɪkəl/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Description

Published or appearing at regular intervals.

The company issues periodical updates on its projects.

💡 Simply: Something that happens again and again, like your birthday! Or a magazine that comes out every month is 'periodical' because it is a monthly schedule. It's something that happens at certain times or with a set frequency.

👶 For kids: Happening again and again at regular times.

More Examples

2

The doctor advised periodical checkups.

3

The periodical meetings helped keep everyone informed.

How It's Used

Business

"The company releases periodical financial reports."

Science

"The periodical table organizes elements by their atomic numbers."

Tip:Think of events that occur in 'periods' or cycles.

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Late Latin *periodicus* ('periodic'), from Greek *periodikos* ('going around at intervals'), from *periodos* ('a period').

The term 'periodical' has been used since the 17th century, evolving from describing a time period to characterizing publications issued regularly.

Memory tip

Think of a 'period' of time, and a publication comes out regularly within that 'period'.

Word Origin

LanguageGreek
Original meaning

"going around, returning, or recurring at intervals"

academic periodicalscientific periodicalperiodical publicationperiodical reportperiodical checkup

Common misspellings

periodicleperiodicals

Usage

30%Spoken
70%Written