iteration

noun

it·​er·​a·​tion ˌi-tə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: version, incarnation

the latest iteration of the operating system

2

: the action or a process of iterating or repeating: such as

a

: a procedure in which repetition of a sequence of operations yields results successively closer to a desired result

b

: the repetition of a sequence of computer instructions a specified number of times or until a condition is met compare recursion

3

: one execution of a sequence of operations or instructions in an iteration

Synonyms of iteration

• repetition
• repeat
• replay

Examples of iteration in a Sentence

your constant iteration of the same piddling complaints is wearing thin

Recent Examples on the Web

Hosted every two years by the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, this year’s biennial features 56 artists and collectives, roughly 1 in 6 of whom have lived and worked in Los Angeles in the time since the survey’s last iteration. —Grant Klarich Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Arriving in both wedge and kitten-heel form, this season’s iterations come backed by serious sources—from the catwalk (Khaite, Alaïa, and Gucci) to the A-list crowd (Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner) to Vogue editors themselves. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026

Modern iterations of the cut favor natural texture variation and subtle layers. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026

The Rangers and their first-year manager have gotten a good look at those who could become this year’s iteration of the Little Rascals in the last three weeks. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for iteration

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

Kids Definition

iteration

noun

it·​er·​a·​tion ˌit-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: repetition

especially : a computational process in which a series of operations is repeated a number of times