du·pli·cate
ˈdü-pli-kət 
also ˈdyü-
1
: consisting of or existing in two corresponding or identical parts or examples
duplicate invoices
2
: being the same as another
duplicate copies
du·pli·cate
ˈdü-pli-ˌkāt
also ˈdyü-
duplicated; duplicating
1
: to make double or twofold
2
a
: to make a copy of
a cell duplicates itself when it divides
b
: to produce something equal to
trying to duplicate last year's success
c
: to do over or again often needlessly
duplicated effort
: to become duplicated
also
: repeat
du·pli·cate
ˈdü-pli-kət
also ˈdyü-
1
a
: either of two things exactly alike and usually produced at the same time or by the same process
b
: an additional copy of something (such as a book or stamp) already in a collection
2
: one that resembles or corresponds to another : counterpart
3
: two identical copies
—used in the phrase in duplicate
Examples of duplicate in a Sentence
Adjective
I began receiving duplicate copies of the magazine every month.
I had a duplicate key made.
Verb
She duplicated the video to give to family and friends.
Unfortunately, the results of the first study could not be duplicated.
Noun
In case you lose your keys, keep a set of duplicates somewhere safe.
doll carriages that are duplicates of baby carriages
Recent Examples on the Web
Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
In the museum exhibit, a duplicate bronze panel is installed on a wall within easy reach of children as well as adults.
—Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Chetan Jaiswal, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
The menu system on the horizontal format screen is easy to navigate, and most functions are also duplicated on the Velotric app for even easier adjustments, including switching from torque sensor assist to the cadence system.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
For example, after an acquisition, duplicate processes may remain from the two merging organizations, leading to process-organization complexity.
—Stephen Wilson, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Merge duplicate records to create a cleaner, more reliable dataset.
—Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
In the museum exhibit, a duplicate bronze panel is installed on a wall within easy reach of children as well as adults.
—Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
Additionally, when the same video is sent simultaneously to multiple users, duplicate data traveling over the same internet links wastes bandwidth and further congests the network.
—Chetan Jaiswal, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
The menu system on the horizontal format screen is easy to navigate, and most functions are also duplicated on the Velotric app for even easier adjustments, including switching from torque sensor assist to the cadence system.
—William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
According to the lawsuit, ECE International is reconciling the claims, including identifying duplicate and unsupported claims.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025
For example, after an acquisition, duplicate processes may remain from the two merging organizations, leading to process-organization complexity.
—Stephen Wilson, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for duplicate
Cite this Entry
“Duplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duplicate. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
duplicate
1 of 3 adjective
du·pli·cate
ˈd(y)ü-pli-kət
1
: having two parts exactly the same or alike
2
: being the same as another
duplicate
2 of 3 verb
du·pli·cate
ˈd(y)ü-pli-ˌkāt
duplicated; duplicating
1
: to make double
2
: to make a duplicate of
duplicate
3 of 3 nounˈd(y)ü-pli-kət
: a thing that is exactly like another
Medical Definition
duplicate
intransitive verb
du·pli·cate
ˈd(y)ü-pli-ˌkāt
duplicated; duplicating
: to become duplicate : replicate
DNA in chromosomes duplicates
Legal Definition
duplicate
1 of 2 transitive verb
du·pli·cate
ˈdü-pli-ˌkāt, ˈdyü-
duplicated; duplicating
: to make a duplicate of
duplicate
2 of 2 noun
du·pli·cate
ˈdü-pli-kət, ˈdyü-
: either of two things exactly alike and often produced at the same time
specifically
: a counterpart identified in the Federal Rules of Evidence Rule 1001 as produced by the same impression as the original or from the same matrix or by means of photography, mechanical, or electronic rerecording, chemical reproduction, or another technique which accurately reproduces the original compare original
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