simulation

noun

sim·​u·​la·​tion ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of simulating

2

: a sham object : counterfeit

3

a

: the imitative representation of the functioning of one system or process by means of the functioning of another

a computer simulation of an industrial process

b

: examination of a problem often not subject to direct experimentation by means of a simulating device

Examples of simulation in a Sentence

a computer simulation of spaceflight

a simulation of the planet's surface

They use computer simulation to predict weather conditions.

Recent Examples on the Web

The former include two DirectX 12 gaming simulations from UL's 3DMark, Night Raid (more modest, suitable for systems with integrated graphics) and Time Spy (more demanding, suitable for gaming rigs with discrete GPUs). —Mark Knapp, PCMAG, 30 May 2024

The researchers’ simulations revealed that scaling up hydrogen tech across Germany could cut the nation’s energy costs by nearly two-thirds. —IEEE Spectrum, 16 May 2024

At an event hosted during San Francisco’s SF Climate Week last month, a Google grid researcher said that the company is already using AI to run grid simulations. —Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 6 May 2024

On a recent afternoon when the rebel force’s generator was working, one drone pilot, Ko Sai Laung, sat in a bamboo shack sharpening his skills on a laptop loaded with Ukrainian drone simulation software. —Paul Mozur Adam Ferguson, New York Times, 4 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English simulacioun "insincerity, pretense, deceit," borrowed from Anglo-French simulacion, borrowed from Latin simulātiōn-, simulātiō "act of copying, putting on an appearance, pretense," from simulāre, similāre "to pretend, assume the appearance of by one's conduct, produce a fraudulent imitation of, imitate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at simulate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

simulation

noun

sim·​u·​la·​tion ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of simulating

2

: an object that is not genuine

3

: the imitation by one system or process of the way in which another system or process works

a computer simulation of spaceflight

Legal Definition

simulation

noun

sim·​u·​la·​tion ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

in the civil law of Louisiana

2

: the act of simulating

3

: a contract that by mutual agreement does not express the true intent of the parties see also counterletter compare disguised donation at donation

Note: Although a simulation does not have effect as between the parties, its lack of effect may not be asserted against third parties, such as creditors or bona fide purchasers, to avoid liability.