replicate

1 of 3

verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce replicate (audio)
replicated; replicating

transitive verb

: duplicate, repeat
replicate a statistical experiment
replicated his mentor's writing style

intransitive verb

: to undergo replication : produce a replica of itself
virus particles replicating in cells

replicate

2 of 3

adjective

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-kət How to pronounce replicate (audio)

replicate

3 of 3

noun

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-kət How to pronounce replicate (audio)
: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples

Examples of replicate in a Sentence

Verb They are working on computer-generated speech that replicates the human voice. DNA replicates itself in the cell nucleus. DNA replicates in the cell nucleus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The Harmonists were known for their unique construction designs, including labyrinths, one of which is replicated south of town. The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 Concerts sold out quickly in most markets, with some shows moved to larger venues, drawing fans who did their best to replicate Madonna’s look, inspiring the media to coin the phrase Madonna wannabes. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 By emulating the sensation of touch, which is a remarkably effective healing modality in and of itself, Apollo can replicate some of the effects of MDMA. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 Their taste replicates that of regular green onions but Egyptian onions are perennial. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024 The menu there replicates roughly 80 percent of the dishes from the Convoy flagship, including duck fat fries, crispy chicken wings, Chinese sausage flatbread and bulgogi cheesesteak with Korean-style marinated beef. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Part of horror’s endurance at the box office has been attributed to the unique experience of seeing something scary in a theater with a group, which is hard to replicate on the couch. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The band’s groovy song felt like a music video come to life thanks to their dancers, who bust out moves while climbing side-stage staircases and replicated their filmed choreography, earning audible cheers from the crowd in the process. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2024 And if the trick is easy enough to replicate by another, then why bother with this magician? Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
Interviewing In each sample, phone numbers are released for interviewing in replicates by census region (cell) or division (landline) to allow for sample control. ABC News, 9 Jan. 2024 Another vision from 1941 aimed to keep city government at Lafayette Square, by building a replicate of Gallier’s 1851 structure on the corner of Poydras Street and filling the intervening space along St. Charles Avenue with a monumental pavilion-like edifice. Richard Campanella, NOLA.com, 6 Feb. 2021 Denbury’s 1,300 miles of pipelines in the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountains dedicated to transporting carbon dioxide would give Exxon critical and hard-to-replicate infrastructure that will be essential if its carbon capture push is to be a success. Dallas News, 10 Oct. 2022 But many researchers in the primordial biology game, Benner included, focus instead on RNA, or ribonucleic acid, a biological precursor to DNA that can also store genetic information and self-replicate but arises more easily from organic materials. Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2014 Although this outfit isn't an exact replicate, the show clearly drew inspiration from a ruffled high collar shirt Princess Diana wore on a visit to Tetbury, England during her engagement. Janaya Wecker, ELLE, 10 Nov. 2022 Also on display is Cynthia’s emerald wedding suit, which Karon had a dressmaker replicate. Amy Bonesteel, ajc, 30 Sep. 2022 On rare occasions, a mutation might help SARS-CoV-2 replicate faster. Carl Zimmer, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Sep. 2022 The tot was seen wearing a black Nike dress that was bedazzled with mini rhinestones on the top, a small replicate of the same piece that Williams wore. Shafiq Najib, Peoplemag, 3 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'replicate.' 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

Verb

Middle English replecaten "to repeat," borrowed from Latin replicātus, past participle of replicō, replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, unroll (a papyrus book), go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly, make a replication" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply"), from re- re- + -plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

Adjective

borrowed from Latin replicātus, past participle of replicō, replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, unroll (a papyrus book), go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of replicate entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of replicate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near replicate

Cite this Entry

“Replicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replicate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb
rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt How to pronounce replicate (audio)
replicated; replicating
1
2
: to produce one or more exact copies of itself
DNA replicates in the cell nucleus

replicate

2 of 2 noun
rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-li-kət How to pronounce replicate (audio)
: one of several identical experiments, processes, or samples

Medical Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb
rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt How to pronounce replicate (audio)
replicated; replicating

transitive verb

: to repeat or duplicate (as an experiment)

intransitive verb

: to undergo replication : produce a replica of itself
virus particles replicating in cells

replicate

2 of 2 noun
rep·​li·​cate -li-kət How to pronounce replicate (audio)
1
: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples
2
: something (as a gene, DNA, or a cell) produced by replication

More from Merriam-Webster on replicate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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