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

In a media environment dominated by speed and repetition, images are now interpreted through existing symbolic frameworks before political meaning has time to settle. —Debbie Millman, Time, 7 Jan. 2026

Television is built on repetition, and anthology series in particular rely on recognizable set-ups to keep audiences on the same wavelength, season after season, new cast after new cast. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026

Doing the same weight for the same number of repetitions in the long term won’t help with longevity. —Greg Presto, Outside, 7 Jan. 2026

Tatiana was herself all too aware of the tragic repetition of history in her death. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 6 Jan. 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