repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈti-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of repeating or being repeated

b

: a motion or exercise (such as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted

2

: mention, recital

repetitional

ˌre-pə-ˈti-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of repetition

• repeat
• replay

Examples of repetition in a Sentence

Sometimes repetition is necessary to drive a point home.

Children's songs involve lots of repetition.

I quit my job at the factory because I hated the mindless repetition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Teaching Young Kids About Hanukkah Since preschoolers learn through music, repetition, and tactile stimulation, Barbara Gross, a preschool teacher, puts lessons to songs and uses fine motor skills to teach her 2-year-old students about Hanukkah through play. —Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 14 Dec. 2025

The next frontier is radical redesign, not repetition. —François Candelon, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

Perform two or three sets of 8-12 repetitions. —Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 11 Dec. 2025

Carbon-steel knives also cultivate habits of mind—patience, focus, repetition—that the pace and shape of modern life make so hard to develop. —Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repeticion, from Middle French, from Latin repetition-, repetitio, from repetere to repeat

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing repetition

• incremental repetition

Rhymes for repetition

• abolition
• acquisition
• admonition
• ammunition
• apparition
• apposition
• coalition
• competition
• composition
• definition
• deglutition
• demolition

Kids Definition

repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈtish-ən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of repeating

b

: a motion or exercise (as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted

2

: something repeated