iterative

adjective

it·​er·​a·​tive ˈi-tə-ˌrā-tiv  -rə- 

: involving repetition: such as

a

: expressing repetition of a verbal action

b

: utilizing the repetition of a sequence of operations or procedures

iterative programming methods

iteratively adverb

Examples of iterative in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While technical hurdles remain, including heat-shield reliability, orbital docking, and rapid turnaround between flights, SpaceX’s progress illustrates how iterative engineering and reusable design can accelerate advancement. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2025

Today, Flow helps companies like Rivian, Joby Aviation, Astranis, and Radiant solve complex engineering challenges and facilitate agile, iterative hardware development. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025

While Washington and Silicon Valley have become entranced by the idea of superintelligent AI, or artificial general intelligence, China has focused on steady, iterative progress and widespread adoption, especially in robotics. —semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

For now, and possibly forever, advances in AI are more likely to be iterative, like other general-purpose technologies. —Michael C. Horowitz, Foreign Affairs, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for iterative

• allocative
• appellative
• commutative
• connotative
• copulative
• degradative
• dissipative
• educative
• exudative
• facultative
• imitative
• infiltrative