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 of replicate

Verb

• reproduce
• copy
• render
• imitate

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

Scenes like this replicated themselves across Southern California after the match, from Koreatown to Boyle Heights to Pacoima to Huntington Park — really, anywhere with a big Latino population. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Brands like Casper, Glossier, and Warby Parker started by selling directly to consumers online, inspiring a wave of founders hoping to replicate their rapid growth. —Holly Eve, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Noun

This is a process built on trust that no prompt replicates. —David Deal, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026

While investigating how influenza replicates, researchers discovered that different flu strains use completely different strategies to infiltrate human cells, SWNS reported. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

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

Rhymes for replicate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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