What does periodical mean?
Periodical is most familiar as a noun naming a publication that appears at regular intervals, such as a weekly magazine, scholarly journal, or annual almanac. As an adjective, it describes events or activities that recur at fixed intervals: periodic dental checkups, periodic maintenance, or a periodical review of the accounts. The two uses share the idea of recurrence, but they are not interchangeable in every context. “A periodical publication” names a type of publication, whereas “periodic publication” emphasizes the timing of the publication. A “periodical review” generally means a regular review, while a noun such as “a literary periodical” refers to the publication itself. The word can sound formal in medical, administrative, and academic contexts, while “periodical” as a noun may sound slightly old-fashioned when contrasted with magazines, newspapers, and online journals, though many academic and specialist publications still use it confidently. Overall, it remains a precise word for something produced or happening on a regular schedule.
A publication that is produced and issued at regular intervals, such as a magazine, journal, almanac, or review.
"The history periodical published a special issue on the industrial revolution."
The word is precise and common in academic and specialist contexts but may sound formal or dated in everyday conversation.
Occurring, recurring, or performed at regular intervals.
"The engine requires periodical maintenance to remain efficient."
This use is especially common in formal, technical, medical, and administrative contexts.
The regular plural is formed by adding -s.
"The library subscribes to several academic periodicals."
What began as a description of regular intervals became the name of the publication itself—and the name still works.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does periodical come from?
Periodical comes through Latin periodicus, an adjective meaning “occurring at fixed intervals.” Latin periodicus was derived from Greek periodos, meaning “a way round,” “circuit,” or “cycle,” which ultimately combines the elements for “around” and “way.” Modern English uses the word both for regular recurrence and for a publication that appears periodically.
Related word forms
How periodical is actually used
The noun is precise but can sound formal or somewhat old-fashioned in general conversation, especially when contrasted with magazines, newspapers, and online journals. The adjective is common in academic, medical, technical, and administrative contexts.
Easily confused with periodical
Periodic means occurring at regular intervals, while periodical is chiefly a noun for a regularly issued publication and an adjective corresponding to periodic.