replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə How to pronounce replica (audio)
1
: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist
a replica of this was painted … this yearConstance Strachey
2
: a copy exact in all details
DNA makes a replica of itself
sailed a replica of the Viking ship
broadly : copy
this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb G. F. Kennan
Choose the Right Synonym for replica

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of replica in a Sentence

We toured a replica of the ship. It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a 2021 presentation for the American Musical Instrument Society, Knight introduces replicas of Gray’s devices and gives a demonstration. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 18 May 2025 Tom Young, a member of the Lansing Historical Society, led the team of Paul Lamborn, John Craig, and Randy Elliott, who quickly built the replica over a couple of days. Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 17 May 2025 Just like jewelry stores display items in showrooms to attract shoppers, many Japanese restaurants display replicas of their dishes outside to attract diners. Rocky Sharma, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025 The technical team has completed a 1:1 digital replica of Auschwitz I, which is available to filmmakers from this week. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for replica

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "repetition, reply, copy of a work of art," noun derivative of replicare "to repeat, reply," borrowed from Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of replica was in 1824

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Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replica. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

replica

noun
rep·​li·​ca ˈrep-li-kə How to pronounce replica (audio)
1
: a close reproduction especially by the maker of the original
2
: a copy exact in all details : duplicate

More from Merriam-Webster on replica

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