duplex

1 of 3

adjective

du·​plex ˈdü-ˌpleks How to pronounce duplex (audio)
 also  ˈdyü-
1
a
: having two principal elements or parts : double, twofold
b
: having two complementary polynucleotide strands of DNA or of DNA and RNA
2
: allowing telecommunication in opposite directions simultaneously

duplex

2 of 3

verb

duplexed; duplexing; duplexes

transitive verb

: to make duplex

duplex

3 of 3

noun

: something duplex: such as
a
: a 2-family house
c
: a duplex molecule of DNA or of RNA and DNA

Did you know?

Duplex can describe a confusing variety of things, depending on the technical field. Most of us use it as a noun: a duplex can be either a two-family house or a two-story apartment. In computer science and telecommunications, duplex (or full-duplex) communication can go in both directions at once, while half-duplex communication can go only one way at a time. In other areas, just translate duplex as "double" and see if the sentence makes sense.

Examples of duplex in a Sentence

Adjective a duplex apartment with all of the bedrooms on the second floor Noun We live in the brick duplex.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
This duplex-style unit is on the top two floors of a 2000 midrise near the Ruggles Orange Line station, Northeastern University, and the Kings’ first home together as a married couple on Northampton Street. Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Jan. 2023 The project consists of 10 duplex-style homes of 1,300 square feet apiece, with three bedrooms, attached two-car garages and private yards. Joe Tash, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022 The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. at a duplex home on Washington Avenue near Lincoln Avenue, said El Cajon police Lt. Tammy Murgareporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2022 But what exactly qualifies as a duplex home, and is owning one as straightforward as owning a single-household residence? Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2022 The duplex home of renowned art collector, dealer, interior designer and philanthropist Hester Diamond recently listed for $19.5 million. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 18 May 2022 For the penthouses, Herzog and de Meuron worked alongside structural engineers AKT to create the unique features within each duplex penthouse and interior designer Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio to create lovely homes. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 17 Nov. 2022 The zone allows the development of single-family homes and duplex-style homes in a condensed area on the property. Scott Turner | Sturner@al.com, al, 3 July 2022 The Hong Kong hotel group is selling a duplex penthouse inside the Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, Honolulu. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 July 2022
Noun
An 8,000-square-foot duplex at MoMA Tower, an asymmetrical crystalline skypiercer designed by Jean Nouvel, has been trying to get $63.18 million for the past five years. Curbed, 13 Nov. 2023 First responders found the infant dead around 11:50 a.m. when they were called on Monday to a duplex Varner shared with the baby's father and two other roommates. Christina Coulter, Fox News, 11 Nov. 2023 New communities will have more duplexes or small-lot single-family homes that are just a few feet apart. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2023 There’s an Empire State Building vibe, with a lot of black and white — plus a bourbon bar, lap pool, steam sauna, screening room, gym, wine cave, Steinway piano and duplex owners’ cabin. William Booth, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2023 Plus, there’s one enviable four-bedroom duplex asking a potentially record-setting $33,990 per month; the priciest lease available on the open market in Brooklyn is currently a Brooklyn Heights townhouse that’s asking a cool $27,500 per month. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 26 Oct. 2023 Advertisement After his release on Jan. 4, 2004, Eugene rejoined his family, wedging himself and his wall-to-wall presence into their three-bedroom, one-bath apartment that made up the bottom half of a duplex. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2023 Welcome to New York; there’s a Manhattan duplex waiting for you. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2023 The Office of Community Prosecutor and the Department of Code Compliance of Dallas launched the service for multifamily, single-family and duplex tenants in English on Aug. 23. María Ramos Pacheco, Dallas News, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Adjective

Latin, from duo two + -plex -fold — more at two, -fold

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1833, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of duplex was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near duplex

Cite this Entry

“Duplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duplex. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

duplex

1 of 2 adjective
du·​plex ˈd(y)ü-ˌpleks How to pronounce duplex (audio)
1
: being or consisting of two parts : twofold
2
: allowing communication at a distance (as by telephone or television) in opposite directions at the same time

duplex

2 of 2 noun
: something duplex: as
a
: a two-family house
b
: an apartment with rooms on two floors

Medical Definition

duplex

noun
du·​plex ˈd(y)ü-ˌpleks How to pronounce duplex (audio)
: a molecule having two complementary polynucleotide strands of DNA or of DNA and RNA
duplex adjective

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