What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pulsation
Example
The doctor checked the patient's pulsations to monitor their heart rate. [pulsations: noun]
Example
The machine emitted pulsations of light and sound. [pulsations: plural noun]
vibration
Example
The earthquake caused intense vibrations that shook the entire building. [vibrations: plural noun]
Example
The phone vibrated in my pocket, signaling a new message. [vibrated: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vibration is more commonly used than pulsation in everyday language. Vibration is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while pulsation is less common and often used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pulsation and vibration?
Both pulsation and vibration can be used in formal or technical contexts, but pulsation is more likely to be used in medical or scientific writing, while vibration can be used in a wider range of contexts.
