repetition

noun

rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌre-pə-ˈti-shən How to pronounce repetition (audio)
Synonyms of repetition
1
a
: the act or an instance of repeating or being repeated
b
: a motion or exercise (such as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted
2
: mention, recital
repetitional
ˌre-pə-ˈti-sh(ə-)nəl How to pronounce repetition (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of repetition

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Examples of repetition in a Sentence

Sometimes repetition is necessary to drive a point home. Children's songs involve lots of repetition. I quit my job at the factory because I hated the mindless repetition.
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.
The factor that seems to unite everyone is a sense of repetition—no matter the style, writers will play the same songs over and over again to reach a kind of creative trance. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 Perform 5 to 10 repetitions of whichever variation is appropriate for you. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 One possibly surprising tool to map out shots for the film to ensure the visual representation of this repetition and cycle was Microsoft Excel. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026 These do convey a sense of disassociation fitting for a woman like Colette, who seems to leave her body in the midst of her degrading work, but in this case, the repetition does not build or reveal more emotion. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repetition

Word History

Etymology

Middle English repeticion, from Middle French, from Latin repetition-, repetitio, from repetere to repeat

First Known Use

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

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

Phrases Containing repetition

Rhymes for repetition

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Browse Nearby Words

repetiteur
repetition
repetitional
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Cite this Entry

“Repetition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repetition. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

repetition

noun
rep·​e·​ti·​tion ˌrep-ə-ˈtish-ən How to pronounce repetition (audio)
1
a
: the act or an instance of repeating
b
: a motion or exercise (as a push-up) that is repeated and usually counted
2
: something repeated

More from Merriam-Webster on repetition

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about repetition

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