replication

IPA/ˌreplɪˈkeɪʃn/
KK[rˌɛpləkˈeʃən]IPA/ˌreplɪˈkeɪʃn/

replication — noun

  • replicationsingular
  • replicationsplural

1. producing an exact copy of something, such as a document, experiment result, or

1.nounB2
Definition

producing an exact copy of something, such as a document, experiment result, or work of art; also used for the copy that results from this process

Example

The research team attempted a replication of the original study to confirm the findings.

collocation: attempted a replication of + [study/experiment]

Beatriz created an exact replication of the ancient map using digital imaging tools.

Common collocations
  • exact replication
  • perfect replication
  • faithful replication
  • direct replication
  • replication of results
  • attempt a replication
  • conduct a replication
Synonyms
  • copy

    more general and informal; a copy may be exact or approximate

  • duplicate

    suggests an identical second version, often of a document or key

  • reproduction

    common for artworks, furniture, or antiques; may differ slightly in material or scale

Antonyms
  • original

    the first version from which a replication is made

Grammar Patterns

replication of + noun phrase

Usage Note

In academic and scientific writing, replication commonly refers to repeating a study or procedure to verify results. It can be countable ('three replications of the test') or uncountable ('for purposes of replication').

Common Mistakes

The teacher asked for a replication of the sentence.
The teacher asked for a repetition of the sentence.
Replication means making an exact copy of something, not saying words again.
This art gallery has a replication of Van Gogh's Starry Night.
This art gallery has a reproduction of Van Gogh's Starry Night.
For artworks, reproduction is more natural than replication.

2. in living things, the way a cell or organism makes an exact copy of its genetic

2.nounC1
Definition

in living things, the way a cell or organism makes an exact copy of its genetic material, such as DNA

Example

Before a cell divides, DNA replication copies its genetic instructions for the new cell.

topic: DNA replication before cell division

Nia studied how errors in genetic replication can lead to mutations that cause serious illnesses.

Common collocations
  • DNA replication
  • genetic replication
  • viral replication
  • cell replication
  • replication cycle
  • replication error
  • replication process
  • rate of replication

Grammar Patterns

replication + of + biological structure

Usage Note

This sense belongs almost exclusively to biology and genetics. It is typically uncountable — you do not speak of 'a replication' in this context. Distinguish from sense 1, where replication refers to copying done by people, not by cells.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Replication, copy, duplicate, reproduction, and replica all refer to something made to resemble an original, but they differ in scope and context. Copy is the broadest and most informal term — a photocopy of a page or a copy of a painting. Duplicate is more precise, suggesting an exact second version that could substitute for the original, such as a duplicate key or document. Reproduction is common for artworks, antiques, and furniture, and may not be identical in material or size. Replica is often a model made at a different scale, like a miniature replica of a ship. Replication is the most formal and is favoured in academic and scientific writing, especially when the process of repeating an experiment or study is foregrounded. For example: 'The team published a direct replication of the 2019 trial.' In everyday use, copy or duplicate would be more natural.

copy ↗duplicate ↗reproduction ↗replica ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • through replication
  • by replication
  • a replication of

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Replication comes from Latin 'replicare', meaning 'to fold back' or 'to repeat'. The word entered English in the late 14th century with the sense of 'a reply' (to fold back an answer), but that meaning is now rare or archaic. By the 17th century, replication was used for the act of copying or repeating something. The biological sense — the self-copying of DNA and cells — emerged in the early 20th century with the growth of modern genetics.