iteration

noun

it·​er·​a·​tion ˌi-tə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: version, incarnation

the latest iteration of the operating system

2

: the action or a process of iterating or repeating: such as

a

: a procedure in which repetition of a sequence of operations yields results successively closer to a desired result

b

: the repetition of a sequence of computer instructions a specified number of times or until a condition is met compare recursion

3

: one execution of a sequence of operations or instructions in an iteration

Synonyms of iteration

• repetition
• repeat
• replay

Examples of iteration in a Sentence

your constant iteration of the same piddling complaints is wearing thin

Recent Examples on the Web

Most structural components were 3D-printed in Polylactic Acid (PLA), enabling fast iteration and part replacement throughout the build, highlighting the flexibility of rapid prototyping in robotics development. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026

Numerous urban iterations on the performance models were on display at the fair. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026

Originating in Amish communities in the Northeast, the first iterations of the cookie are believed to have been made using leftover cake batter. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2026

DeepMind’s AlphaGo, which defeated the world’s Go champion in 2016, had learned the game over thousands of iterations of self-play. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for iteration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

iteration

noun

it·​er·​a·​tion ˌit-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: repetition

especially : a computational process in which a series of operations is repeated a number of times