repeat

1 of 4

verb

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt 

repeated; repeating; repeats

transitive verb

1

a

: to say or state again

b

: to say over from memory : recite

c

: to say after another

2

a

: to make, do, or perform again

repeat an experiment

b

: to make appear again

the curtains repeat the wallpaper pattern

will repeat the program tomorrow

c

: to go through or experience again

had to repeat third grade

3

: to express or present (oneself) again in the same words, terms, or form

intransitive verb

: to say, do, or accomplish something again

especially : to win something (such as a sports championship) another time in succession

repeatability

ri-ˌpē-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

repeatable

ri-ˈpē-tə-bəl 

adjective

repeat

2 of 4

noun (1)

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt  ˈrē-ˌpēt 

1

a

: something repeated : repetition

b

: a musical passage to be repeated in performance

also : a sign placed before and after such a passage

c

: a usually transcribed repetition of a radio or television program

d

: a duplication of genetic material (such as a sequence of nucleotides) in which the duplicated parts are adjacent to each other along the chromosome

2

: the act of repeating

Illustration of repeat

• repeat 1b

repeat

3 of 4

adjective

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt 

: of, relating to, or being one that repeats an offense, achievement, or action

a repeat burglar

a repeat customer

repeatability

4 of 4

noun (2)

re·​peat·​abil·​i·​ty rə̇ˌpētəˈbilətē 

rēˌp-, 

-pētə-, 

-lətē, 

-i

: the quality or state of being repeatable

Synonyms of repeat

Verb

• reiterate
• chime

Noun (1)

• repetition
• replay

Examples of repeat in a Sentence

Verb

Will you repeat the question?

He kept repeating the same thing over and over.

He often has to ask people to repeat themselves because he's a little deaf.

Repeat after me: “I promise to do my best…”.

You are simply repeating, in slightly different words, what has been said already.

My five-year-old can repeat her favorite stories word for word.

Noun (1)

Most of the customers are repeats.

No, I don't want to watch that. It's a repeat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Seattle Seahawks have gotten an offseason full of congratulations, their Super Bowl rings and now will get the chance to see the banner raised before kicking off this season with hopes of repeating. — Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

The man whose contract Gibbs surpassed, Bijan Robinson, received the second-most votes among running backs, while last year's winner, Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, received only three votes to repeat. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Looking ahead to the 2028 Democratic Presidential primary, the group is desperately hoping to avoid a repeat of the race to the left of 2020. — Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026

There was less agreement over whether there would be a repeat winner; 23 voters chose a previous MVP to claim the award, while 17 gave votes to other candidates, with Joe Burrow leading the way in that category. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Still, in its effort to crack down on repeat drug dealers with fines of up to $20,000 and jail sentences as long as six months, the proposal would also set harsher penalties for people who smoke marijuana in public. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026

On public safety, the General Assembly made a bad situation worse by lowering penalties for repeat juvenile offenders, including those repeatedly caught with guns and those using firearms in drug trafficking. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English repeten, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French repeter, from Old French, from Latin repetere to return to, repeat, from re- + petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

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

Adjective

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing repeat

• repeat offender
• repeat oneself
• repeat performance
• tandem repeat

Rhymes for repeat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

repeat

1 of 2 verb

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt 

1

a

: to say or state again

repeated the question

b

: to say from memory : recite

repeat a poem

c

: to say after another

repeat the following words after me

2

: to make, do, or perform again

repeat a mistake

3

: to present (oneself) again in the same words or way

hate repeating myself

repeatable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

repeat

2 of 2 noun

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt  ˈrē-ˌpēt 

1

: the act of repeating

2

: something repeated

3

a

: a musical passage to be repeated in performance

b

: a sign that consists of two dots one above the other and that is placed before and after a musical passage to be repeated

4

: a repetition of a radio or television program

Medical Definition

repeat

noun

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt, ˈrē-ˌ 

: genetic duplication in which the duplicated parts are adjacent to each other along the chromosome