replication

noun

rep·​li·​ca·​tion ˌre-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce replication (audio)
Synonyms of replicationnext
1
a
: answer, reply
b(1)
: an answer to a reply : rejoinder
(2)
: a plaintiff's reply to a defendant's plea, answer, or counterclaim
2
: echo, reverberation
3
a
: copy, reproduction
b
: the action or process of reproducing or duplicating
replication of DNA
viral replication
4
: performance of an experiment or procedure more than once

Synonyms of replication

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Examples of replication in a Sentence

bought a smaller and cheaper replication of the marble statue for his garden we'll need to do a replication of that experiment so we can collect more data
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But when the humanoid gets to near-perfect human replication yet retains something robotic in its essence, an ickiness takes hold. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 What remains to be established, however, is whether these models would initiate self-replication on their own. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026 Imagery, in its poetic sense, is unbridled by the laws of the real, unconcerned with replication, devoted instead to the rolling expanse of attempt. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 Over time, large-scale replication and extension studies of the marshmallow test with more diverse socioeconomic and racial samples found more nuanced findings. — Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for replication

Word History

Etymology

Middle English replicacioun "answer, rejoinder, argument, repetition," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French replicacion "answer to an argument or statement of an opponent," borrowed from Late Latin replicātiōn-, replicātiō "act of bending or folding, repetition, reply, replication in court," going back to Latin, "contrary rotation, replication," from replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly, make a replication" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of replication was in the 14th century

Rhymes for replication

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Browse Nearby Words

replicatile
replication
replicative
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Cite this Entry

“Replication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replication. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

replication

noun
rep·​li·​ca·​tion ˌrep-lə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce replication (audio)
1
: very exact copying or duplication
2
: an act or process of copying or duplication

Medical Definition

replication

noun
rep·​li·​ca·​tion ˌrep-lə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce replication (audio)
1
: the action or process of reproducing or duplicating
replication of DNA
2
: performance of an experiment or procedure more than once

Legal Definition

replication

noun
rep·​li·​ca·​tion ˌre-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce replication (audio)
: reply
Etymology

Anglo-French, from Middle French, from Late Latin replicatio, from Latin, action of folding back, from replicare to fold back

More from Merriam-Webster on replication

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about replication

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