replicate

1 of 3

verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-ˌkāt 

replicated; replicating

transitive verb

: duplicate, repeat

replicate a statistical experiment

replicated his mentor's writing style

intransitive verb

: to undergo replication : produce a replica of itself

virus particles replicating in cells

replicate

2 of 3

adjective

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-kət 

: manifold, repeated

replicate

3 of 3

noun

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-kət 

: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples

Synonyms

Verb

• clone
• copy
• copycat
• duplicate
• imitate
• reduplicate
• render
• reproduce

Examples of replicate in a Sentence

Verb

They are working on computer-generated speech that replicates the human voice.

DNA replicates itself in the cell nucleus.

DNA replicates in the cell nucleus.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Google researchers wanted to see if measurements taken from receivers in Android phones could essentially replicate the ionosphere mapping that occurs in more advanced monitoring stations. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Nov. 2024

Cruz's Democratic opponent, buoyed by significant grassroots support and fundraising, is aiming to replicate the near-upset seen in Cruz's 2018 re-election bid against O'Rourke, where Cruz won by only 2.6 percentage points. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

Everything from the organ level (how well your heart pumps, how efficiently blood moves oxygen, how well kidneys filter waste) down to the molecular level (how proteins fold, how DNA replicates) works best within these thermal confines. —Umair Irfan, Vox, 17 June 2024

Interviewing In each sample, phone numbers are released for interviewing in replicates by census region (cell) or division (landline) to allow for sample control. —ABC News, 9 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English replecaten "to repeat," borrowed from Latin replicātus, past participle of replicō, replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, unroll (a papyrus book), go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly, make a replication" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply"), from re- re- + -plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

Adjective

borrowed from Latin replicātus, past participle of replicō, replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, unroll (a papyrus book), go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of replicate entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1929, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt 

replicated; replicating

1

: duplicate entry 2 sense 1, repeat

2

: to produce one or more exact copies of itself

DNA replicates in the cell nucleus

replicate

2 of 2 noun

rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-li-kət 

: one of several identical experiments, processes, or samples

Medical Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt 

replicated; replicating

transitive verb

: to repeat or duplicate (as an experiment)

intransitive verb

: to undergo replication : produce a replica of itself

virus particles replicating in cells

replicate

2 of 2 noun

rep·​li·​cate -li-kət 

1

: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples

2

: something (as a gene, DNA, or a cell) produced by replication