im·i·ta·tion
ˌi-mə-ˈtā-shən 
1
: an act or instance of imitating
2
: something produced as a copy : counterfeit
3
: a literary work designed to reproduce the style of another author
4
: the repetition by one voice of a melody, phrase, or motive stated earlier in the composition by a different voice
5
: the quality of an object in possessing some of the nature or attributes of a transcendent idea
6
: the assumption of behavior observed in other individuals
: resembling something else that is usually genuine and of better quality : not real
imitation leather
Synonyms
Noun
- carbon
- carbon copy
- clone
- copy
- dummy
- dupe
- duplicate
- duplication
- facsimile
- mock
- reduplication
- replica
- replication
- reproduction
Adjective
Examples of imitation in a Sentence
Noun
Children learn by imitation of adults.
The restaurant was designed in imitation of a Japanese temple.
He did a hilarious imitation of his father.
The real diamonds are in a museum. These are just imitations.
Adjective
the stage production uses only imitation diamonds, as real gems would be prohibitively expensive
Recent Examples on the Web
Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
What is distinctive today is a world order in which few new nation-states can emerge but in which language movements are rising everywhere in response to the pressures of endangerment, through the force of imitation and often under the banner of indigenous rights.
—Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Modernist works are characterized by a fascination with novelty and the desire to break with the past; a fragmented sense of time and space; a preference for creativity over imitation; and formal experimentation.
—Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024
Peter Spalding of the designer furniture sourcing platform Daniel House Club notes that imitations of Chippendale and other legacy-style pieces — think cabinets and wingback chairs, for example — were common in the ‘80s and early ’90s.
—Kim Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Another shopper swapped a Coach wallet for an imitation accessory, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Cans of imitation crab still include a small percentage of shellfish such as King Crab meat, and additional flavors or extracts of crab and lobster.
—Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2024
The colorful tote is made from imitation suede that’s both easy to clean and animal-friendly.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
By following your actions, this toddler craft idea will teach your 2-year-old communication skills and imitation.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
The most luxurious gemstone imitations of flora and fauna have featured prominently on red carpets for decades as well.
—Daisy Shaw-Ellis, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024
What is distinctive today is a world order in which few new nation-states can emerge but in which language movements are rising everywhere in response to the pressures of endangerment, through the force of imitation and often under the banner of indigenous rights.
—Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024
Modernist works are characterized by a fascination with novelty and the desire to break with the past; a fragmented sense of time and space; a preference for creativity over imitation; and formal experimentation.
—Hazlitt, 10 Apr. 2024
Peter Spalding of the designer furniture sourcing platform Daniel House Club notes that imitations of Chippendale and other legacy-style pieces — think cabinets and wingback chairs, for example — were common in the ‘80s and early ’90s.
—Kim Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
Another shopper swapped a Coach wallet for an imitation accessory, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Cans of imitation crab still include a small percentage of shellfish such as King Crab meat, and additional flavors or extracts of crab and lobster.
—Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Apr. 2024
The colorful tote is made from imitation suede that’s both easy to clean and animal-friendly.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 29 Mar. 2024
By following your actions, this toddler craft idea will teach your 2-year-old communication skills and imitation.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imitation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near imitation
Cite this Entry
“Imitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitation. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imitation
1 of 2 noun
im·i·ta·tion
ˌim-ə-ˈtā-shən
1
: an act of imitating
2
: something produced as a copy
imitation
2 of 2 adjective
: resembling something else especially of better quality
imitation pearls
imitation leather
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