emulation

[ em-yuh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. effort or desire to equal or excel others.

   Synonyms: competition, imitation

2. Obsolete. jealous rivalry.

Other Words From

• nonem·u·lation noun
• over·emu·lation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of emulation¹

First recorded in 1545–55, emulation is from the Latin word aemulātiōn- (stem of aemulātiō ). See emulate, -ion

Example Sentences

De Palma’s slavish emulation of Hitchcock runs through numerous films, and with notable specificity.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet “The Greatest Night in Pop” also makes a strong case for the artistic value of “We Are the World,” which after countless parodies and emulations can be hard to hear today with fresh ears.

From Los Angeles Times

I had become a deep reader of the genre in my 20s, and, as all writers are readers in emulation, I began to think about writing a hard-boiled fiction of my own.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of this was a matter of emulation, since Chandler is the funniest of the New York sextet.

From Salon

The heroes, icons and role models of our past were, and remain, worthy of the utmost respect and emulation because of the example they set.

From Salon

Related Words

• simulation