duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌdü-pli-ˈkā-shən 

 also  ˌdyü-

1

a

: the act or process of duplicating

b

: the quality or state of being duplicated

2

: duplicate, counterpart

3

: a part of a chromosome in which the genetic material is repeated

also : the process of forming a duplication

Synonyms

• alter ego
• carbon
• carbon copy
• clone
• counterpart
• doppelgänger
• doppelganger
• double
• duplicate
• facsimile
• fetch
• image
• likeness
• look-alike
• match
• mirror image
• picture
• replica
• ringer
• spit
• spitting image
• twin

Examples of duplication in a Sentence

He sent the manuscript out for duplication.

Please eliminate duplication when combining the lists.

Recent Examples on the Web

IDs varied by department, fields were missing and duplication was rampant. —Andrew Siemer, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Acceptance is also required for certain medical services to help control increasing health care costs and to avoid duplication of services. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2025

Moreover, the duplication of effort, confused lines of authority and gross overstaffing found in Washington is repeated in every one of our overseas posts. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Improve operating efficiency using AI by having real time access to your company’s knowledge base in order to reduce costs and duplication. —Barry Libert, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for duplication

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌd(y)ü-pli-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: an act or process of duplicating

b

: the state of being duplicated

2

: duplicate entry 3

Medical Definition

duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌd(y)ü-pli-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of duplicating : the quality or state of being duplicated

2

: a part of a chromosome in which the genetic material is repeated

also : the process of forming a duplication

Legal Definition

duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌdü-pli-ˈkā-shən, ˌdyü- 

: the act, process, or result of duplicating