replicate

1 of 3

verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-ˌkāt 

replicated; replicating

transitive verb

: duplicate, repeat

replicate a statistical experiment

replicated his mentor's writing style

intransitive verb

: to undergo replication : produce a replica of itself

virus particles replicating in cells

replicate

2 of 3

adjective

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-kət 

: manifold, repeated

replicate

3 of 3

noun

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-kət 

: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples

Synonyms

Verb

• reproduce
• copy
• render
• imitate

Examples of replicate in a Sentence

Verb

They are working on computer-generated speech that replicates the human voice.

DNA replicates itself in the cell nucleus.

DNA replicates in the cell nucleus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This trader dataset creates genuine competitive moats in ways that traditional Wall Street firms struggle to replicate. —Douglas B. Laney, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

The store will replicate the approach and colors of the headquarters in a bold way. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 8 July 2025

Noun

Driving the news: The Carytown restaurant last month unveiled its new sign, which is an exact replicate of the one that hung there in the 1930s. —Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 2 Dec. 2024

Everything from the organ level (how well your heart pumps, how efficiently blood moves oxygen, how well kidneys filter waste) down to the molecular level (how proteins fold, how DNA replicates) works best within these thermal confines. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 17 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English replecaten "to repeat," borrowed from Latin replicātus, past participle of replicō, replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, unroll (a papyrus book), go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly, make a replication" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply"), from re- re- + -plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

Adjective

borrowed from Latin replicātus, past participle of replicō, replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, unroll (a papyrus book), go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of replicate entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for replicate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt 

replicated; replicating

1

: duplicate entry 2 sense 1, repeat

2

: to produce one or more exact copies of itself

DNA replicates in the cell nucleus

replicate

2 of 2 noun

rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-li-kət 

: one of several identical experiments, processes, or samples

Medical Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt 

replicated; replicating

transitive verb

: to repeat or duplicate (as an experiment)

intransitive verb

: to undergo replication : produce a replica of itself

virus particles replicating in cells

replicate

2 of 2 noun

rep·​li·​cate -li-kət 

1

: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples

2

: something (as a gene, DNA, or a cell) produced by replication