iteration

American  

[it-uh-rey-shuhn] / ˌɪt əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• iterations
  plural

1. the act of repeating; a repetition.

2. Mathematics.

   1. Also called successive approximation.  a problem-solving or computational method in which a succession of approximations, each building on the one preceding, is used to achieve a desired degree of accuracy.

   2. an instance of the use of this method.

3. Digital Technology.

   1. a repetition of a statement or statements in a computer program.

   2. a different version of an existing data set, software program, hardware device, etc..

      A new iteration of the data will be released next month.

4. a different form or version of something.

   He designed the previous iteration of our logo.

5. a development strategy that involves a cyclical process of refining or tweaking the latest version of a product, process, or idea to make a subsequent version.

   Our startup is relying on rapid iteration in the next software development cycle.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• iterations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of iteration

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English from Latin iterātiōn-, stem of iterātiō; see iterate, -ion

Explanation

An iteration is a repetition of something. Your nagging friend's message might be lost on you after the umpteenth iteration. The noun iteration comes from the Latin verb iterum, which means "again," which makes a lot of sense when you consider the meaning of the word, "the act of repeating." Don’t get confused by the similar word reiteration, which essentially means the same thing. Either word is proper to use. Although when you think about it, the "re" means again anyway, so that word actually means "to repeat again," which is in itself a little redundant, don't you think?

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

iteration iterations

“China’s approach is to drive technological innovation through rapid iteration and massive production. The immediate challenge is how the economy absorbs all that output,” said Lian Jye Su, analyst at research firm Omdia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

It’s the latest iteration of Nvidia’s vendor-financing playbook, whereby the company has invested into various parts of the AI-infrastructure ecosystem that run on its graphics processing units.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

The format was revived by Sky for a single series in 2008, before the current iteration launched in 2024, quickly becoming a hit for BBC One.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

"It's wonderful that this has created so much popularity. People are reading more, but this is just this iteration ... People will always return to these stories."

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

It was an iteration, a simultaneous arm and evolution of hip-hop, and, coolest of all—it was originally used as an alternative to physical violence.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi

And as a source of income, it was also one of the newest iterations of the American dream, reliant on one of our oldest tropes.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

Assassin's Creed is one of the most popular franchises in gaming, having sold an estimated 230 million copies across its various iterations.

From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026

Lender losses drive a contraction of credit availability, the lifeblood of modern economies, leading to slowing economic activity and driving further iterations of the pernicious cycle.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

The title track appears in five iterations, and each conveys a strikingly different mood.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026

He smiled at the iterations of Aditya as the months went on.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon