repeat

1 of 3

verb

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt How to pronounce repeat (audio)
repeated; repeating; repeats

transitive verb

1
a
: to say or state again
b
: to say over from memory : recite
c
: to say after another
2
a
: to make, do, or perform again
repeat an experiment
b
: to make appear again
the curtains repeat the wallpaper pattern
will repeat the program tomorrow
c
: to go through or experience again
had to repeat third grade
3
: to express or present (oneself) again in the same words, terms, or form

intransitive verb

: to say, do, or accomplish something again
especially : to win something (such as a sports championship) another time in succession
repeatability noun
repeatable adjective

repeat

2 of 3

noun

1
a
: something repeated : repetition
b
: a musical passage to be repeated in performance
also : a sign placed before and after such a passage
c
: a usually transcribed repetition of a radio or television program
d
: a duplication of genetic material (such as a sequence of nucleotides) in which the duplicated parts are adjacent to each other along the chromosome
2
: the act of repeating

Illustration of repeat

Illustration of repeat
  • repeat 1b

repeat

3 of 3

adjective

re·​peat ri-ˈpēt How to pronounce repeat (audio)
: of, relating to, or being one that repeats an offense, achievement, or action
a repeat burglar
a repeat customer

Examples of repeat in a Sentence

Verb Will you repeat the question? He kept repeating the same thing over and over. He often has to ask people to repeat themselves because he's a little deaf. Repeat after me: “I promise to do my best…”. You are simply repeating, in slightly different words, what has been said already. My five-year-old can repeat her favorite stories word for word. Noun Most of the customers are repeats. No, I don't want to watch that. It's a repeat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Netflix would surely like to avoid repeating that history when its user growth stalls again. Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024 To support their beloved neighborhood — and with history once again repeating itself — residents take matters into their own hands to support those in need. Morgan Fischer, The Arizona Republic, 22 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for repeat 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repeat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English repeten, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French repeter, from Old French, from Latin repetere to return to, repeat, from re- + petere to go to, seek — more at feather

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

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

Adjective

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of repeat was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near repeat

Cite this Entry

“Repeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repeat. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

repeat

1 of 2 verb
re·​peat ri-ˈpēt How to pronounce repeat (audio)
1
a
: to say or state again
repeated the question
b
: to say from memory : recite
repeat a poem
c
: to say after another
repeat the following words after me
2
: to make, do, or perform again
repeat a mistake
3
: to present (oneself) again in the same words or way
hate repeating myself
repeatable adjective

repeat

2 of 2 noun
1
: the act of repeating
2
: something repeated
3
a
: a musical passage to be repeated in performance
b
: a sign that consists of two dots one above the other and that is placed before and after a musical passage to be repeated
4
: a repetition of a radio or television program

Medical Definition

repeat

noun
re·​peat ri-ˈpēt, ˈrē-ˌ How to pronounce repeat (audio)
: genetic duplication in which the duplicated parts are adjacent to each other along the chromosome

More from Merriam-Webster on repeat

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