repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈti-shən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of repeating or being repeated

b

: a motion or exercise (such as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted

2

: mention, recital

repetitional

ˌre-pə-ˈtish-nəl 

-ˈti-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• duplication
• iteration
• redo
• reduplication
• reiteration
• renewal
• repeat
• replay
• replication
• reprise

Examples of repetition in a Sentence

Sometimes repetition is necessary to drive a point home.

Children's songs involve lots of repetition.

I quit my job at the factory because I hated the mindless repetition.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the 2024 presidential election heats up, some Latino advocacy and immigrant-rights groups are sounding the alarm that Mr. Trump’s tactics could amount to a repetition of a sordid chapter of American history. —Jazmine Ulloa, New York Times, 3 June 2024

While Fox’s incessant repetition of the word disruptor can grate, the show packs more creativity, wit, and transgression into each half-hour than Runway and its imitators have mustered in years. —Judy Berman, TIME, 31 May 2024

Everything on the table had a purpose and there was never repetition. —Edy Massih, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2024

The repetitions in history no less than those in nature and their minute variations are there for the attentive creature to note. —Wyatt Mason, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repeticion, from Middle French, from Latin repetition-, repetitio, from repetere to repeat

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing repetition

• incremental repetition

Kids Definition

repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈtish-ən 

1

a

: the act or an instance of repeating

b

: a motion or exercise (as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted

2

: something repeated