du·plex
ˈdü-ˌpleks 
also ˈdyü-
: something duplex: such as
a
: a 2-family house
b
c
: a duplex molecule of DNA or of RNA and DNA
Did you know?
Duplex can describe a confusing variety of things, depending on the technical field. Most of us use it as a noun: a duplex can be either a two-family house or a two-story apartment. In computer science and telecommunications, duplex (or full-duplex) communication can go in both directions at once, while half-duplex communication can go only one way at a time. In other areas, just translate duplex as "double" and see if the sentence makes sense.
Synonyms
Examples of duplex in a Sentence
Adjective
a duplex apartment with all of the bedrooms on the second floor
Noun
We live in the brick duplex.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Jan. 2023
The project consists of 10 duplex-style homes of 1,300 square feet apiece, with three bedrooms, attached two-car garages and private yards.
—Joe Tash, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022
The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. at a duplex home on Washington Avenue near Lincoln Avenue, said El Cajon police Lt.
—Tammy Murgareporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2022
But what exactly qualifies as a duplex home, and is owning one as straightforward as owning a single-household residence?
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2022
The duplex home of renowned art collector, dealer, interior designer and philanthropist Hester Diamond recently listed for $19.5 million.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 18 May 2022
For the penthouses, Herzog and de Meuron worked alongside structural engineers AKT to create the unique features within each duplex penthouse and interior designer Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio to create lovely homes.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 17 Nov. 2022
The zone allows the development of single-family homes and duplex-style homes in a condensed area on the property.
—Scott Turner | Sturner@al.com, al, 3 July 2022
The Hong Kong hotel group is selling a duplex penthouse inside the Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, Honolulu.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 July 2022
IEEE Spectrum, 14 Jan. 2024
Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
Aside the 40-foot original brick light tower is a keeper’s house that was enlarged in 1925, becoming a duplex for two keepers and their families.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2024
But Low’s good fortune of winning an unlikely crucial vote from a Saratoga Republican didn’t help him in one Mountain View duplex.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
Both boats have fire pits, video walls, a basketball court and wild chandeliers, but this time Khan’s added an underwater Nemo lounge, a duplex owner’s suite, and a retro neon dance floor.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
Los Angeles city building records show that 135 permits to construct duplexes and 10 for apartments have been issued in 2018 or later, and 191 demolition permits have been issued, indicating that more is yet to come.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Consider Montana, which last year passed a package of new laws that essentially ended single-family zoning by allowing backyard homes and duplexes on most lots in the state.
—Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
Anderson, 33, owns a brick duplex on South 37th Street, near West Oklahoma Avenue, which was searched by law enforcement last week.
—Journal Sentinel Staff, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
The remaining parts of the street can be populated with single-family homes and duplexes.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
Adjective
This duplex-style unit is on the top two floors of a 2000 midrise near the Ruggles Orange Line station, Northeastern University, and the Kings’ first home together as a married couple on Northampton Street.
—Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Jan. 2023
The project consists of 10 duplex-style homes of 1,300 square feet apiece, with three bedrooms, attached two-car garages and private yards.
—Joe Tash, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022
The incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. at a duplex home on Washington Avenue near Lincoln Avenue, said El Cajon police Lt.
—Tammy Murgareporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2022
But what exactly qualifies as a duplex home, and is owning one as straightforward as owning a single-household residence?
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2022
The duplex home of renowned art collector, dealer, interior designer and philanthropist Hester Diamond recently listed for $19.5 million.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 18 May 2022
For the penthouses, Herzog and de Meuron worked alongside structural engineers AKT to create the unique features within each duplex penthouse and interior designer Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio to create lovely homes.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 17 Nov. 2022
The zone allows the development of single-family homes and duplex-style homes in a condensed area on the property.
—Scott Turner | Sturner@al.com, al, 3 July 2022
The Hong Kong hotel group is selling a duplex penthouse inside the Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, Honolulu.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 July 2022
Verb
Also part of the kit are a lightweight battery, a duplexing antenna that allows both data transmission and wireless power charging, and sensors, none more than 6 millimeters in diameter.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Jan. 2024
Noun
Last year, the City of Detroit announced a program for small-scale property owners of duplexes and other types of rentals to get repair grants and rebates for bringing their properties up to code.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
Aside the 40-foot original brick light tower is a keeper’s house that was enlarged in 1925, becoming a duplex for two keepers and their families.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2024
But Low’s good fortune of winning an unlikely crucial vote from a Saratoga Republican didn’t help him in one Mountain View duplex.
—Harriet Blair Rowan, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024
Both boats have fire pits, video walls, a basketball court and wild chandeliers, but this time Khan’s added an underwater Nemo lounge, a duplex owner’s suite, and a retro neon dance floor.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
Los Angeles city building records show that 135 permits to construct duplexes and 10 for apartments have been issued in 2018 or later, and 191 demolition permits have been issued, indicating that more is yet to come.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024
Consider Montana, which last year passed a package of new laws that essentially ended single-family zoning by allowing backyard homes and duplexes on most lots in the state.
—Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024
Anderson, 33, owns a brick duplex on South 37th Street, near West Oklahoma Avenue, which was searched by law enforcement last week.
—Journal Sentinel Staff, Journal Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2024
The remaining parts of the street can be populated with single-family homes and duplexes.
—Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'duplex.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near duplex
Cite this Entry
“Duplex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duplex. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
duplex
1 of 2 adjective
du·plex
ˈd(y)ü-ˌpleks
1
: being or consisting of two parts : twofold
2
: allowing communication at a distance (as by telephone or television) in opposite directions at the same time
duplex
2 of 2 noun
: something duplex: as
a
: a two-family house
b
: an apartment with rooms on two floors
Medical Definition
duplex
noun
du·plex
ˈd(y)ü-ˌpleks
: a molecule having two complementary polynucleotide strands of DNA or of DNA and RNA
duplex
adjective
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