amplification

noun am·pli·fi·ca·tion \ ˌam-plə-fə-ˈkā-shən \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Definition of amplification

1 a : an act, example, or product of amplifying

b : a usually massive replication of genetic material and especially of a gene or DNA sequence (as in a polymerase chain reaction)

2 a : the particulars by which a statement is expanded

b : an expanded statement

See amplification defined for kids

Recent Examples of amplification from the Web

There’s no question that the amplification of misinformation or propaganda ... On Facebook.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Fog Creek Software CEO Anil Dash answers all the questions on Too Embarrassed to Ask," 8 July 2018
Exactly five years later, the Black Lives Matter movement is a quintessential example of a movement that's found successful amplification through social media.

— caroline simon, USA TODAY, "How social media has shaped Black Lives Matter, five years later," 12 July 2018
The first season, which was relatively faithful to the book, was chilling and validating, an amplification of and a vessel for nagging fears and frustrations.

— margaret lyons, New York Times, "‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Season 2 Is Brutal and Not Much Else," 11 July 2018
The team had been forced to destroy the weevil, because part of its body was needed for the DNA-generating process, called polymerase chain reaction amplification or PCR.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Jurassic Park’s Unlikely Symbiosis With Real-World Science," 15 June 2018
Caveats or not, the notion that federal agents were running undercover informants with the goal of bringing down the future president gained currency through repetition in the conservative media and amplification from the Oval Office.

— matt viser, BostonGlobe.com, "Collusion debate hits a foggy bottom," 19 May 2018
While Dudamel seemed in his usual control, his enthusiasm high, his rhythmic finesse apparent from watching him on the video screens, the amplification prevented him from always making musical sense.

— mark swed, latimes.com, "Review: The Hollywood Bowl turns up the heat for Leonard Bernstein celebration — sometimes too high," 11 July 2018
Dining rooms, offices and other small spaces that lack ample natural light would all appreciate a little light fixture amplification.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "It’s Time to Talk About Joanna Gaines’ Brilliant Lighting Trick," 10 July 2018
Embracing singing with amplification, with a microphone, is really interesting and quite different.

— barbara chai, WSJ, "An Opera Star Takes Up Broadway—and Biking on the Hudson," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amplification.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.