replicate

1 of 3

verb

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce replicate (audio)
replicated; replicating
Synonyms of replicate

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 How to pronounce replicate (audio)
: manifold, repeated

replicate

3 of 3

noun

rep·​li·​cate ˈre-plə-kət How to pronounce replicate (audio)
: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples

Synonyms of replicate

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Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Keep in mind that when Antetokounmpo has been surrounded by skilled distance shooters — an approach the Heat has tried to replicate — his Bucks teams produced elite offensive ratings. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 That blend of entertainment, trust and frictionless purchasing has created something traditional e-commerce can’t easily replicate. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
Traditional hiring methods are failing to detect this, as AI replicates presentation, communication, and on-the-spot thinking. — Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 In a lab at the University of Minnesota, a tiny blob eats, grows, competes, divides and replicates—nearly everything a living cell does. — Lori Youmshajekian, Scientific American, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for replicate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of replicate was in the 15th century

Rhymes for replicate

See All Rhymes for replicate

Browse Nearby Words

replicase
replicate
replicatile
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Replicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replicate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb
rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt How to pronounce replicate (audio)
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 How to pronounce replicate (audio)
: one of several identical experiments, processes, or samples

Medical Definition

replicate

1 of 2 verb
rep·​li·​cate ˈrep-lə-ˌkāt How to pronounce replicate (audio)
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 How to pronounce replicate (audio)
1
: one of several identical experiments, procedures, or samples
2
: something (as a gene, DNA, or a cell) produced by replication
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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