emulation

noun

em·​u·​la·​tion ˌem-yə-ˈlā-shən 

-yü-

1

: ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as in achievement)

2

a

: imitation

b

: the use of or technique of using an emulator

3

obsolete : ambitious or envious rivalry

emulative

ˈem-yə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

emulatively adverb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the stand-out offerings in the Gold Bundle is Waves’ famed H-Delay Hybrid Delay plugin, a responsive and highly customizable emulation of vintage digital hardware delays in the vein of the Lexicon PCM42. —Popular Science, 27 Oct. 2020

In the twentieth century the tide turned, today most scholars would assert that the shift from Celtic to Anglo-Saxon speech and culture in what became England was a matter of emulation, not genetic replacement. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2010

Rechristened the Byrds in obvious emulation of the Fab Four, the act was signed to Columbia Records in late 1964 on the basis of promotional efforts by Dickson, who was now managing the band. —Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023

In particular, two different mechanisms have been proposed: imitation and emulation. —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 24 Nov. 2010

Although it's packed with awesome titles, some criticize its emulation abilities, saying that its games run somewhat choppy and the interface is very clunky. —Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 1 Dec. 2022

So most, though not all, of the changes in ethnicity or identity are biased toward elite emulation and novel identity formation. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2010

The intimate show was an ode to his journey in hip-hop, and one set design served as an emulation of his childhood bedroom in Sandi's basement. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 29 Jan. 2023

Evidence for emulation in chimpanzees in social settings using the floating peanut task. —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 24 Nov. 2010

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aemulātiōn-, aemulātiō, from aemulārī "to vie with, rival, imitate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at emulate entry 1

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

emulation

noun

em·​u·​la·​tion ˌem-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: the ambition or effort to emulate

emulative

ˈem-yə-ˌlāt-iv 

adjective