replicate

American  

[rep-li-kit, rep-li-keyt] / ˈrɛp lɪ kɪt, ˈrɛp lɪˌkeɪt /

adjective

1. Also replicated. folded; bent back on itself.

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verb (used with object)

replicated, replicating

1. to bend or fold back.

   a replicated leaf.

2. to repeat, duplicate, or reproduce, especially for experimental purposes.

   We were unable to replicate the same results in the field.

3. Genetics. (of a cell) to make a copy of (its DNA).

   The cell replicates its DNA to begin the process of cell division.

verb (used without object)

replicated, replicating

1. (especially of DNA) to undergo replication;

   Our DNA replicates at a rate of 50 nucleotides per second.

noun

1. something that is replicated, as an experiment or procedure.

replicate British  

verb

1. (also intr) to make or be a copy of; reproduce

2. to fold (something) over on itself; bend back

3. to reply to

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adjective

1. folded back on itself

   a replicate leaf

Other Word Forms

• nonreplicate adjective
• nonreplicated adjective
• replicative adjective

Etymology

Origin of replicate

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin replicātus, past participle of replicāre “to fold back”; re-, ply ², -ate ¹

Explanation

Did you just figure out how to make that excellent pizza you had in Philadelphia? Then what you’ve done is replicate it, meaning you’ve been able to reproduce it. The word replicate carries different shades of meaning, but it generally involves repeating something. Students of biology will know that the word is often used to indicate that an exact duplicate has been made, such as chromosomes that replicate themselves. It can also be used in an unscientific sense to mean that something has been done again to match or repeat an earlier outcome, such as a political group that works to replicate a successful campaign.

Example Sentences

But if Mythos leaks, another AI lab will likely replicate its capabilities, he noted.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Many Silicon Valley firms are trying to replicate Neo’s formula, but Partovi isn’t too worried about competition because of Neo’s network and reputation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

That is the test no simulator can replicate, and its outcome will define this mission's legacy more than any image of the Moon's far side.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

By tracking the fluorescence, they could quickly determine whether the virus continued to replicate.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

There is a recursion here that is worth noting: like all proteins, DNA polymerase, the enzyme that enables DNA to replicate, is itself the product of a gene.*

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• clone
• depict
• duplicate
• imitate
• mirror
• reflect
• repeat
• reproduce
• simulate