repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈti-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of repeating or being repeated

b

: a motion or exercise (such as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted

2

: mention, recital

repetitional

ˌre-pə-ˈti-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of repetition

• repeat
• replay

Examples of repetition in a Sentence

Sometimes repetition is necessary to drive a point home.

Children's songs involve lots of repetition.

I quit my job at the factory because I hated the mindless repetition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Through repetition, Dinand does not dilute meaning. —Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 4 Feb. 2026

Power is exercised openly, justified retrospectively, and normalized through repetition. —Alejandro Reyes, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026

The contrast of the narrative established by the plates is comparable to jazz music, with its rhythm and repetition broken up by unexpected and sometimes dissonant improvisations, the Art Institute said. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

And on Mondays, owners of franchises desperate to catch up continue to prize familiarity, mistaking their comfort for competence, trusting that stubborn repetition will somehow produce stability. —Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repeticion, from Middle French, from Latin repetition-, repetitio, from repetere to repeat

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing repetition

• incremental repetition

Rhymes for repetition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈtish-ən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of repeating

b

: a motion or exercise (as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted

2

: something repeated