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

“The playbook seems clear: replicate the WeChat Pay / Alipay models where communication-plus-commerce live in one interface, with payments becoming a default behavior inside the feed,” said Dolev.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Yet “with the right reforms,” Mr. Sankar counters, “we can overcome the worst of the dysfunction and replicate the daring feats of past generations.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Not surprisingly, others have not been able to replicate Swan’s findings, not even those in which she has collaborated—for example, these recent Danish or Spanish studies.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Now the firm is looking to replicate that success with a newly-launched exchange-traded fund version of the portfolio for retail investors: the M.D.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

“To be born into privilege,” she said, “is to be given the tools to replicate that privilege.”

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

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