simulation

noun sim·u·la·tion \ ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of simulation

1 : the act or process of simulating

2 : a sham object : counterfeit

3 a : the imitative representation of the functioning of one system or process by means of the functioning of another

a computer simulation of an industrial process

b : examination of a problem often not subject to direct experimentation by means of a simulating device

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See simulation defined for kids

Examples of simulation in a Sentence

a computer simulation of spaceflight
a simulation of the planet's surface
They use computer simulation to predict weather conditions.

Recent Examples of simulation from the Web

Using this information, the research team set up 1,000 flight simulations using the estimate of one meter as the distance required to transmit the flu disease directly to another passenger on a plane.

— lyndsey matthews, Town & Country, "Here's How to Avoid Getting Sick on Your Next Flight," 12 Apr. 2018
These simulations led to the discovery of what unfolds when two black holes join together.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Black holes can multiply on their own in massive star clusters, MIT researchers say," 11 Apr. 2018
Ohio State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham are among those that have recently used phishing simulations as preventive education.

— Washington Post, "Psych! Colleges teach phishing lesson by targeting their own," 9 Apr. 2018
Coughlin and colleagues ran the data for Kepler 452 b through several new simulations under their refined signal-to-noise-ratio threshold, paying particular attention to possible contamination from minor flaws in the spacecraft’s instruments.

— john wenz, Scientific American, "Study Casts Doubt on Existence of a Potential “Earth 2.0”," 9 Apr. 2018
The software relies on the same sort of Monte Carlo financial planning simulations used at other banks to estimate clients’ chances of hitting financial goals, according to the internal pay grid as well as one current and one former adviser.

— neil weinberg, Bloomberg.com, "Wells Fargo Sales Push Extended to Wealth Unit, Ex-Workers Say," 5 Apr. 2018
Now, Száz and Horváth have run 36,000 simulations to see how ships would have fared using the crystals, which are most well-known for their property of double refraction (anything viewed through Icelandic spar is seen twice over).

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Vikings Could Have Used Crystals For Navigation," 4 Apr. 2018
The lesson plan Caine wrote to meet part of the award criteria calls for students to do an online simulation for standing wave patterns.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Award-winning science teacher: Once students get past the fear, even physics becomes easier," 23 Mar. 2018
The researchers repeated their work with simulations that placed sick passengers in other seats.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "To avoid germs on an airplane, consider booking a window seat," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'simulation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of simulation

Middle English simulacion, from Anglo-French, from Latin simulation-, simulatio, from simulare

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

SIMULATION Defined for English Language Learners

simulation

noun

Definition of simulation for English Language Learners

: something that is made to look, feel, or behave like something else especially so that it can be studied or used to train people

Law Dictionary

simulation

noun sim·u·la·tion \ ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən \

legal Definition of simulation

in the civil law of Louisiana

1 : the act of simulating

2 : a contract that by mutual agreement does not express the true intent of the parties — see also counterletter — compare disguised donation at donation

Note: Although a simulation does not have effect as between the parties, its lack of effect may not be asserted against third parties, such as creditors or bona fide purchasers, to avoid liability.

Learn More about simulation

See words that rhyme with simulation Spanish Central: Translation of simulation Nglish: Translation of simulation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of simulation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about simulation

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simulation

Definition of simulation

Examples of simulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples of simulation from the Web

Origin and Etymology of simulation

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SIMULATION Defined for English Language Learners

simulation

Definition of simulation for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

simulation

legal Definition of simulation

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Origin and Etymology of simulation

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SIMULATION Defined for English Language Learners

simulation

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