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Definition of iterate

iterate

/ˈɪtəreɪt/
it · er · ate
Adverb:iteratively
•
Adjective:iterative
•
Past Simple:iterated
•
Past Participle:iterated
•
Present Participle:iterating
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iterate Lexical Profile

iterate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To perform or apply a process, design, or computational procedure repeatedly in order to refine a result or approach a desired target.

Example

"The engineering team continued to iterate on the prototype until the battery life met the required specifications."

2

To utter, state, or do something again or repeatedly.

Example

"The professor had to iterate the fundamental principles of thermodynamics several times before the class grasped the concept."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for iterate

Word Nuance & Usage

While "reiterate" means to state something again for emphasis or clarity, "iterate" in modern professional and technical contexts specifically refers to repeating a process or design cycle to progressively refine a result.

• Rhymes for iterate

• Nearby Words

itemization
itemize
itemizer
iterate
iteration
iterative
iteratively

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 16th century from Latin iteratus, the past participle of iterare ('to do a second time, repeat'), derived from the adverb iterum ('again').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Iterate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/iterate
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