simulation

noun

sim·​u·​la·​tion ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

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

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

Following the simulation, ReachBot was tested in the real-world in an unmanned lava tube near Pisgah crater in Mojave Desert. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2024

Of course, the simulation is very different than what's happening in real life, but Boeing believes that this is very accurate. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2024

During the simulation, Finnerty gave orders to the crew to continue testing the equipment, then to drop the anchor and, finally, to sound the danger signal warning anyone on the water that collision was imminent. —USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

Note: The times in this simulation might differ from other sources of eclipse data by a minute or two. —Melissa Locker, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024

The community, which sheltered trans-Atlantic air travelers whose planes were diverted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, is the near the end of the eclipse’s path but may have to settle for the simulation. —Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Rather than calculating the exact moment that the eclipse begins and ends for thousands of locations, our simulation uses these coordinates to create a realtime 3D simulation with the same type of computer programming that is common in video games. —Chris Wilson, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S Release Date: 2024 Soar through the skies once again in this next-gen, cutting-edge take on classic Microsoft flight simulation. —PCMAG, 6 Apr. 2024

Using the simulation, Rose and her team found that what dictates what happens to an orbiting star is its distance from the black hole. —Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English simulacioun "insincerity, pretense, deceit," borrowed from Anglo-French simulacion, borrowed from Latin simulātiōn-, simulātiō "act of copying, putting on an appearance, pretense," from simulāre, similāre "to pretend, assume the appearance of by one's conduct, produce a fraudulent imitation of, imitate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at simulate

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

simulation

noun

sim·​u·​la·​tion ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: the act or process of simulating

2

: an object that is not genuine

3

: the imitation by one system or process of the way in which another system or process works

a computer simulation of spaceflight

Legal Definition

simulation

noun

sim·​u·​la·​tion ˌsim-yə-ˈlā-shən 

1

in the civil law of Louisiana

2

: the act of simulating

3

: 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.