duplication

noun

du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌdü-pli-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce duplication (audio)
 also  ˌdyü-
Synonyms of duplicationnext
1
a
: the act or process of duplicating
b
: the quality or state of being duplicated
2
: duplicate, counterpart
3
: a part of a chromosome in which the genetic material is repeated
also : the process of forming a duplication

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of duplication in a Sentence

He sent the manuscript out for duplication. Please eliminate duplication when combining the lists.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While some duplication is inevitable, strong governance helps minimize unnecessary investments. 6. — Balvinder Singh Banjardar, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 Each affiliate comes up with its own funds and its own list of species, relying on EBP to set genome quality standards, develop sequencing protocols, and avoid duplication of effort. — Byelizabeth Pennisi, science.org, 4 Nov. 2024 These duplications opened the door for the wide genetic variations that still exist today and help us digest starchy foods. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Oct. 2024 Another helpful thing is to fill all their medications at one pharmacy, if possible, so the pharmacist knows their medications and can check for drug interactions or duplications. — Michael Merschel/ American Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for duplication

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of duplication was in the 15th century

Rhymes for duplication

See All Rhymes for duplication

Browse Nearby Words

duplicating machine
duplication
duplication of the cube
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Duplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duplication. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

duplication

noun
du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌd(y)ü-pli-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce duplication (audio)
1
a
: an act or process of duplicating
b
: the state of being duplicated
2
: duplicate entry 3

Medical Definition

duplication

noun
du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌd(y)ü-pli-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce duplication (audio)
1
: the act or process of duplicating : the quality or state of being duplicated
2
: a part of a chromosome in which the genetic material is repeated
also : the process of forming a duplication

Legal Definition

duplication

noun
du·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌdü-pli-ˈkā-shən, ˌdyü- How to pronounce duplication (audio)
: the act, process, or result of duplicating

More from Merriam-Webster on duplication

Nglish: Translation of duplication for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about duplication

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All