duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌdü-pli-ˈkā-shən 

 also  ˌdyü-

1

a

: the act or process of duplicating

b

: the quality or state of being duplicated

2

: duplicate, counterpart

3

: a part of a chromosome in which the genetic material is repeated

also : the process of forming a duplication

Synonyms

• alter ego
• carbon
• carbon copy
• clone
• counterpart
• doppelgänger
• doppelganger
• double
• duplicate
• facsimile
• fetch
• image
• likeness
• look-alike
• match
• mirror image
• picture
• replica
• ringer
• spit
• spitting image
• twin

Examples of duplication in a Sentence

He sent the manuscript out for duplication.

Please eliminate duplication when combining the lists.

Recent Examples on the Web

My first step would be to list all vendors and meet with the team to identify frustrations, duplications, and pain points. —Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025

The goal of the overhaul is to eliminate bureaucracy and duplication, with most parts of the operation shifting back to their home departments and agencies, a second source with direct knowledge of the plans told NPR. —Tom Bowman, NPR, 23 May 2025

Joe Gebbia, a co-founder of Airbnb, focused on overhauling the retirement system for federal workers, talked about the duplication DOGE staffers are seeing in government systems. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

These duplications waste resources and reduce the effectiveness of the cybersecurity strategy. —Ambuj Kumar, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for duplication

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌd(y)ü-pli-ˈkā-shən 

1

a

: an act or process of duplicating

b

: the state of being duplicated

2

: duplicate entry 3

Medical Definition

duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌd(y)ü-pli-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of duplicating : the quality or state of being duplicated

2

: a part of a chromosome in which the genetic material is repeated

also : the process of forming a duplication

Legal Definition

duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌdü-pli-ˈkā-shən, ˌdyü- 

: the act, process, or result of duplicating