simulation

noun

sim·u·la·tion | \ ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of simulation

1 : the act or process of simulating

2 : a sham object : counterfeit

3a : 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

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 on the Web

The research is based on simulations of Boston traffic and surveys of local residents to build a model of how driverless cars will impact the city’s streets. — Adam Vaccaro, BostonGlobe.com, "Driverless cars might make Boston traffic worse," 27 June 2018 The study results, based on climate model simulations, are consistent with other research findings, said Daniel Cayan, a climate researcher at Scripps Institution of Oceanography who was not involved in the study. — Bettina Boxall, latimes.com, "Climate change will make California's drought-flood cycle more volatile, study finds," 23 Apr. 2018 Today, battery development and testing is a physical process that requires experts to build prototypes first because there is no simulation software. — Sara Castellanos, WSJ, "Mercedes Enlists Quantum Computing to Build a Better Electric Vehicle Battery," 25 Feb. 2019 Nike last year opened a mash-up of retail store and consumer experience called Jumpman LA on downtown Los Angeles’ South Broadway, which includes shoe and clothing customization, virtual reality training simulation and a rooftop basketball court. — Ronald D. White, The Seattle Times, "How Michael Jordan became a brand (even though he almost skipped the meeting with Nike)," 19 Feb. 2019 The information can then create computational simulations that can be used to develop even more efficient and sustainable structures. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "Can a remodeled 1920s home revolutionize green building?," 3 Dec. 2018 But a computer simulation known as the European model predicts some places could get 45 inches. — Seth Borenstein, The Seattle Times, "What scares experts about Hurricane Florence," 11 Sep. 2018 In Poland, the inactivity trap—the disincentive to return to employment after inactivity—is one of the highest in the EU, according to a simulation by the European Commission. — The Economist, "Subsidising babies has bolstered Poland’s ruling party—so far," 10 May 2018 The way LEGOs stack together leaves a tiny amount of space between them, so this simulation treats the length as 32mm by 16mm. — Justin Worland, Time, "See How Many LEGO Skyscrapers You Could Build With a Year's Worth of Ocean Plastic Waste," 21 Apr. 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about simulation

Dictionary Entries near simulation

Statistics for simulation

Last Updated

18 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for simulation

The first known use of simulation was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for simulation

simulation

noun

English Language Learners Definition of simulation

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

See the full definition for simulation in the English Language Learners 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.