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

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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 Further replication is needed, and cross-cultural studies using non-Western participants are scarce. —Christian B. Miller, CNN, 25 June 2024 An organelle, not a symbiote All of these properties—the coordinated replication, the biochemical specialization, the existence of a system for importing proteins—are features of organelles, not endosymbiosis. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 11 Apr. 2024 Many of these carry drugs that inhibit the enzyme topoisomerase 1, which is essential for DNA replication. —Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024 That mighty match arrives in the form of Detroit native and R&B legend Freda Payne, whose stunning replication of many of Ella’s greatest hits must be witnessed to be believed. —Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for replication 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'replication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near replication

replicatile

replication

replicative

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Replication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replication. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

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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

Nglish: Translation of replication for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of replication for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about replication

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