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

To break up the repetition and prevent the books from visually overwhelming the living room, Lee suggests styling visually lighter items like plants and candles among books. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026

But repetition is not the same as reach, and communication is not complete until leaders know whether the message has actually traveled—and whether it has been understood. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

His act made use of racial and ethnic slurs, under the philosophy that taboo words lost their maiming edge with repetition. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Do this across the length of a yoga mat and back for 20 repetitions. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026

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