Meaning & use
replicate
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To make an exact copy of something, or to do something again in the same way.
Grammar: Takes an object: replicate the design.
Patterns
- replicate something
- replicate something exactly
Artists tried to replicate the glaze used on the ancient vase.
It is hard to replicate the taste of homemade bread in a factory.
The software can replicate files across several computers.
verbtransitivetechnical
To repeat an experiment or study and get the same result, in order to check that the finding is reliable.
Grammar: In science, the object is a study or result: replicate the findings.
Patterns
- replicate a study
- replicate the findings
Other labs failed to replicate the original findings.
The team replicated the experiment with a larger sample.
Results must be replicated before doctors change their advice.
verbintransitivebiology
Of a cell, virus or molecule, to make copies of itself.
Grammar: No object: the virus replicates inside a host cell.
Patterns
- replicate inside something
The virus replicates inside the host's cells.
DNA replicates before a cell divides.
Bacteria replicate rapidly in warm conditions.
Word forms
| third person singular | replicates |
|---|---|
| past tense | replicated |
| past participle | replicated |
| -ing form | replicating |
Common combinations
- replicate a study
- Scientists tried to replicate the study.
- replicate the results
- No one has managed to replicate the results.
- replicate an experience
- Virtual reality can replicate the experience of flying.
- replicate quickly
- The bacteria replicate quickly in warm broth.
- hard to replicate
- Her style is hard to replicate.
- replicate a design
- The factory replicated the design in plastic.
Synonyms and how they differ
- copy
- Copy is the everyday word and may be rough or approximate, while replicate suggests an accurate, repeatable reproduction.
- duplicate
- Duplicate stresses making an identical second item, whereas replicate also covers repeating a process.
- reproduce
- Reproduce is common for both copying and biological breeding, and is a close match, though it sounds less technical in the science sense.
- clone
- Clone usually refers to a genetically identical organism or a software copy, narrower than replicate.
Opposites
Word family
- replication noun
- the act of copying or repeating
- replica noun
- an exact copy of something
- replicable adjective
- able to be repeated
- replicator noun
- something that makes copies
Commonly confused: replicate or reply?
replicate vs reply
Reply means to answer. It shares the start of the word but not the meaning; replicate comes from a Latin word meaning to fold back.
Practice
Scientists say a result is trustworthy when other labs can ___ it.
Choose one answer.
To replicate a result is to repeat the study and get the same outcome. Replace, reply and relate do not describe verifying a study.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “replicate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.