emulation

noun

em·​u·​la·​tion ˌem-yə-ˈlā-shən 

-yü-

1

: ambition or endeavor to equal or excel others (as in achievement)

2

a

: imitation

b

: the use of or technique of using an emulator

3

obsolete : ambitious or envious rivalry

emulative

ˈem-yə-ˌlā-tiv 

adjective

emulatively adverb

Examples of emulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Early versions of this strategy used emulation software to run Windows on ARM, but that strategy never caught on. —Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

Plus, the United States can no longer pass itself off as a democracy worthy of emulation. —Michael Shifter, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2022

These are filters, not unlike the Fujifilm X100 camera’s popular digital film emulations, that tint and modulate the photos in real time, making the camera much better for skin tones and also for landscapes, which the iPhone’s default settings often wash out. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024

The Classic Edition consoles were miniature replicas of the NES and SNES that played a collection of retro games from each original system through software emulation. —Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 24 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin aemulātiōn-, aemulātiō, from aemulārī "to vie with, rival, imitate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at emulate entry 1

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

emulation

noun

em·​u·​la·​tion ˌem-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: the ambition or effort to emulate

emulative

ˈem-yə-ˌlāt-iv 

adjective