amplification

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

|Updated on: 17 Jun 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

The giant speakers hanging on both sides of the stage can strike an opera fan as a sacrilege, and the amplification is at cross-purposes with the auditorium's exquisite acoustical capabilities.

— deanna isaacs, Chicago Reader, "Lyric’s Jesus Christ is, indeed, a superstar," 1 May 2018
Some people with mild to moderate hearing loss might be helped by an over-the-counter device called a personal sound amplification product, or PSAP, according to a study published in July in the journal of the American Medical Association.

— consumer reports, Washington Post, "Hearing loss can be very isolating, hurting relationships with family and friends," 17 Feb. 2018
Frank Gehry was a real sonuvabitch because this same amplification applies to the body and any sounds that may emanate from it.

— yusef roach, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Communal Experience of Going to the Symphony for the First Time," 31 May 2018
Another difficulty stemmed from Holmes’s insistence that the miniLab be capable of performing the four major classes of blood tests: immunoassays, general chemistry assays, hematology assays, and assays that relied on the amplification of DNA.

— john carreyrou, WIRED, "A New Look Inside Theranos’ Dysfunctional Corporate Culture," 21 May 2018
Further holding the work back was the amplification.

— mark swed, latimes.com, "From 19th Century Memphis to modern-day L.A.: Master Chorale time-travels through 'dreams of the new world'," 15 May 2018
The scientists used a technique called protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) to test for the presence of CWD prions in soil and water taken from mineral licks in south-central Wisconsin.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW researchers verify chronic wasting disease prions at mineral lick sites," 2 May 2018
Condensers are less sturdy but more sensitive and require less amplification—great for a home studio.

— kevin dupzyk, Popular Mechanics, "How to Get Started in Podcasting," 29 June 2015
Unlike their peers in pop music, classical presenters tend to shy away from guitarist-singer combos, fearing the worst without amplification.

— zachary lewis, cleveland.com, "Guitarist Jason Vieux partners with mezzo Sasha Cooke on special chamber series finale (preview)," 2 May 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.