replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə How to pronounce replica (audio)
Synonyms of replicanext
1
: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist
a replica of this was painted … this year—Constance Strachey
2
: a copy exact in all details
DNA makes a replica of itself
sailed a replica of the Viking ship
broadly : copy
this faithful, pathetic replica of a Midwestern suburb —G. F. Kennan

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for replica

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of replica in a Sentence

We toured a replica of the ship. It's an authentic replica of an ancient Greek urn.
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.
History buffs will delight in Punta Arenas’s maritime museum and life-size replicas of the storied European galleons that once navigated to these remote shores. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Nov. 2024 See miniature replicas of Cincinnati icons, including this year's newest addition: The Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 15 Nov. 2024 And then there’s the merch, which ranges from baby clothes at H&M to a $499 replica of the magical Mirror of Erised at Pottery Barn. —Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024 For example, voice cloning is now possible through a process that involves training an algorithm through various speech samples to create a digital replica of one’s voice. —Matt Hocking, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for replica 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, "repetition, reply, copy of a work of art," noun derivative of replicare "to repeat, reply," borrowed from Latin replicāre "to turn back on itself, bend back, go over (a thought, topic) repeatedly" (Late Latin also "to restore, repeat, reply") — more at replicate entry 1

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of replica was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near replica

repliant

replica

replicable

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replica. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

replica

noun
rep·​li·​ca ˈrep-li-kə How to pronounce replica (audio)
1
: a close reproduction especially by the maker of the original
2
: a copy exact in all details : duplicate

More from Merriam-Webster on replica

Nglish: Translation of replica for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of replica for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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