mock-up
Americannoun
noun
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a working full-scale model of a machine, apparatus, etc, for testing, research, etc
-
a layout of printed matter
verb
Etymology
Origin of mock-up
First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase mock up
Explanation
A mock-up is a smaller model or replica of something that will eventually be built or that's used for teaching. When an engineer designs a new kind of airplane, she'll first make a mock-up. A mock-up can be a prototype, or a first version of something that will be improved upon before the final version is constructed. Another kind of mock-up is a page of a newspaper or magazine that's laid out so it can be rearranged and perfected before the finished publication is printed. Some mock-ups are full size, but made of cheaper materials than the final product will use — a furniture maker might use this method.
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.
Its inclusion was controversial, said former military officials: Lucas was just a mock-up, but it beat out more mature systems on the offering.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
Detectives have previously released mock-up facial images showing how the man might have looked aged in his 50s, 60s and 70s.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
At this moment, the program doesn’t exist except in mock-up posters displayed at the Dec. 22 Mar-a-Lago announcement.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 1, 2026
In addition to winged Victories like that shown in the mock-up Trump’s arch, the sculptural program of the Arch of Severus includes depictions of four major battles in Parthia and the spoils of war.
From Salon • Nov. 5, 2025
The Killing House was a fake—a mock-up of an embassy used to train the SAS in the art of hostage release.
From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz
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.
