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-ˈtish-nəl 

-ˈti-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• 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

Share learnings with the team to build trust and prevent repetition. —Gisela Carere, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

These lessons are essential not only for historical literacy but also for understanding and preventing the repetition of past mistakes. —Jane Tanaka, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025

Like all babies, my youngest son learned this through arduous repetition. —Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025

Both deal with tourism and both use repetition, which is the call of all advertisements of empire. —Cindy Juyoung Ok june 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 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