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
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
Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Proteins include two types of chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, imitation crab and lamb, while vegetable toppings range from cucumbers to jalapeños to baby corn.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Crucially, this was not simple imitation.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Growing vanilla bean pods is a laborious process—which means the beans, seeds, and any products made with them (including extracts and ice creams) are understandably pricier than imitation versions.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitation
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Noun
To play the role, White spent hours studying Springsteen—listening to his memoir on tape, watching old interviews—but knew to avoid imitation.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Sep. 2025
Proteins include two types of chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, imitation crab and lamb, while vegetable toppings range from cucumbers to jalapeños to baby corn.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Crucially, this was not simple imitation.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
Growing vanilla bean pods is a laborious process—which means the beans, seeds, and any products made with them (including extracts and ice creams) are understandably pricier than imitation versions.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for imitation
Cite this Entry
“Imitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitation. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
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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