iterate

American  

[it-uh-reyt] / ˈɪt əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

iterated, iterating

1. to do (something) over again or repeatedly.

2. to utter again or repeatedly.

   Synonyms:

   rehearse, repeat, reiterate

3. to develop (a product, process, or idea) by building upon previous versions or iterations, using each version as the point of departure for refinements and tweaks: We iterate the app after each round of customer feedback.

   The manufacturer will iterate production and distribution schedules based on consumer demand.

   We iterate the app after each round of customer feedback.

---

verb (used without object)

iterated, iterating

1. to operate or be applied repeatedly, as a linguistic rule or mathematical formula.

2. to create something by building on previous versions or iterations, using each version as the point of departure for refinements and tweaks.

   The game studio is iterating on all current animation sets to incorporate the popular new characters.

iterate British  

/ ˈɪtəˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to say or do again; repeat

---

Other Word Forms

• iterant adjective
• iteration noun
• uniterated adjective

Etymology

Origin of iterate

First recorded in 1525–35; < Latin iterātus, past participle of iterāre “to repeat, rehearse,” equivalent to iter- (stem of iterum “again”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Explanation

To iterate is to repeat, as in to say or perform something again. If you loved the high school drama club’s performance of the “Three Little Pigs,” encourage them to iterate the musical so you can see it again. And again. Iterate comes from the Latin word iterare for "do again, repeat.” Iterate is a transitive verb, so you have to iterate something. A successful play or concert will usually iterate a performance, so more people can see it. People often iterate a point, by repeating, they hope others will understand it better. Politicians often iterate key points. The word reiterate is more familiar, and means something very similar — to repeat something for emphasis.

Example Sentences

“That’s a point where you went from test, to iterate, to scale,” Spring said.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

"Your brain's fluid system is trying to restore function by pushing the brain to iterate between high-attention and high-flow states."

From Science Daily • Jan. 20, 2026

“We will be open to buying the 85% solution and iterate together over time to achieve the 100% solution,” Mr. Hegseth said, instead of demanding endless specs that only a few big contractors can meet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 16, 2025

"Instead of juggling 10 links with search, you get a brief synthesis that you can edit and iterate in plain English," he says.

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025

Over the next two hours we submerge ourselves in finding the sums of infinite geometric series, calculating iterate functions, and expanding powers of binomials.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen