repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈti-shən How to pronounce repetition (audio)
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
repetitional
ˌre-pə-ˈtish-nəl How to pronounce repetition (audio)
-ˈti-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Example Sentences

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 There are three types of exercise that may be useful in improving insulin sensitivity: Resistance exercise: This incorporates weight lifting or exercises that utilize your own body weight to work one set of muscles at a time, usually with lots of repetition and long rest periods in between sets. Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 1 June 2023 Finding new things to photograph, because there’s a lot of repetition at the farm. Jeff Campagna, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2023 The result is unwieldy, like a solid eight-episode season squished together with little regard for flow or repetition. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2023 His repetition may be as much about reminding himself as informing you. Karla L. Miller, Washington Post, 4 May 2023 In some cases, the historical repetition is literal, not metaphoric. Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 29 Apr. 2023 With each repetition, try to shift the hips a bit deeper into the range. Women's Health, 9 Mar. 2023 Skip your gym and do these 6 body-weight exercises at home Perform eight to 10 repetitions of each exercise on each side of your body while maintaining a focus on good form and being able to breathe well. Dana Santas, CNN, 25 Feb. 2023 That increases the repetition rate for every step in the process, starting with the fuel capsule. Jeff Mcmahon, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repetition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of repetition was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near repetition

Cite this Entry

“Repetition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repetition. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

repetition

noun
rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈtish-ən How to pronounce repetition (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on repetition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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