emulation
Americannoun
-
effort or desire to equal or excel others.
- Synonyms:
- competition, imitation
-
Obsolete. jealous rivalry.
Other Word Forms
- nonemulation noun
- overemulation noun
Etymology
Origin of emulation
First recorded in 1545–55, emulation is from the Latin word aemulātiōn- (stem of aemulātiō ). See emulate, -ion
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In emulation, many rich economies—including the U.S.—have begun to implement industrial policies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
A grand ayatollah and source of emulation has the authority to make legal decisions for his lay followers and for lower-ranking clerics in Iran and the wider Shiite world.
From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026
Mars defended the advert, saying "the cars were shot driving at lawful speeds and any emulation would only reflect the legal and safe driving presented".
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2025
De Palma’s slavish emulation of Hitchcock runs through numerous films, and with notable specificity.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 3, 2024
He knew how to encourage other rabbits and to fill them with a spirit of emulation.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
