simulation

American  

[sim-yuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌsɪm yəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

1. imitation or enactment, as of something anticipated or in testing.

2. the act or process of pretending; feigning.

3. an assumption or imitation of a particular appearance or form; counterfeit; sham.

4. Psychiatry. a conscious attempt to feign some mental or physical disorder to escape punishment or to gain a desired objective.

5. the representation of the behavior or characteristics of one system through the use of another system, especially a computer program designed for the purpose.

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simulation British  

/ ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of simulating

2. the assumption of a false appearance or form

3. a representation of a problem, situation, etc, in mathematical terms, esp using a computer

4. maths statistics computing the construction of a mathematical model for some process, situation, etc, in order to estimate its characteristics or solve problems about it probabilistically in terms of the model

5. psychiatry the conscious process of feigning illness in order to gain some particular end; malingering

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Other Word Forms

• nonsimulation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of simulation

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English simulacion, from Latin simulātiōn- (stem of simulātiō ) “a pretense”; see simulate, -ion

Explanation

A simulation is a representation of something, not the real thing, like the simulation of life in New York City, seen in movies that were shot on Hollywood sound stages and on the streets of Toronto. A simulation is something that represents something else — it isn't the real thing. At times you might perform a simulation as practice for real life, such as a flight simulation that’s used to train pilots. The word can also be used, often dismissively, to describe something that is a fake, like a simulation of excitement or the simulation of a perfect diamond.

Example Sentences

Since his election a year ago as the Church's first US pope, he has repeatedly warned of the dangers of AI, including "the gradual replacement of reality by its simulation".

From Barron's • May 25, 2026

For every simulation, the researchers calculated both neutrino production and the related gamma ray emission, then compared the results with real observations.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

Hesai also introduced a new reporting structure separating its core lidar business from strategic growth initiatives, which includes Kosmo—an AI-powered spatial intelligence device targeting robotics simulation, immersive media and physical AI applications, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

At the other end, the Premier League U18 player of the season Gabriel did call Max Hudson into making a comfortable save low down, while the 15-year-old was also booked for simulation in the box.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

I made a mental note to do a study simulation on this one with Elliot in the very near future, and where in the world was Elliot?

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• reproduction