replica

noun

rep·​li·​ca ˈre-pli-kə How to pronounce replica (audio)
1
: an exact reproduction (as of a painting) executed by the original artist
a replica of this was painted … this yearConstance 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
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 Investigators confiscated two replica rifles after the incident, which began around 11 a.m. Monday when someone alerted police that a man was seen holding a rifle near Doolittle Drive and Carden Street, according to the Lt. Abe Teng of the San Leandro Police Department. Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 Department officials said a replica firearm was recovered at the scene. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024 The work, created in collaboration with her late mother Lucía Guzmán García, features a selection of oversized felt replicas of Dominican products, all jumbled together. Christian House, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Filming took place in replica B-17s that were suspended 50 feet in the air and surrounded by 360-degree screens. Christopher Kuo, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The model poses in a lacy, hot pink bodysuit and matching opera gloves, a replica of the outfit Dua wore during her high-grossing 2022 trek. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2024 Johansson showed up during yesterday’s cold open wearing a replica of Britt’s green blouse and cross necklace. Esther Zuckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2024 The tunable replica circuits operate for a realistic but random amount of time, obscuring the real signal from any eavesdropping attackers. IEEE Spectrum, 28 Feb. 2024 If a person clicks an influencer’s affiliate link and buys the replica Rick Owens sneakers on Pandabuy, the company buys them through the original Taobao listing. Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'replica.' 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

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

Cite this Entry

“Replica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/replica. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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

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