im·i·ta·tion
ˌi-mə-ˈtā-shən 
1
: an act or instance of imitating
Children learn by imitation of adults.
He did a hilarious imitation of his father.
2
: something produced as a copy : counterfeit
a cheap/poor imitation
an imitation of mid-century architecture
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
philosophy
: the quality of an object in possessing some of the nature or attributes of a transcendent idea
6
psychology
: the conscious or unconscious 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
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
But Baehren and Carvalho pointed out that these behaviors, which took place rarely and in captivity, might only be imitations of human communication.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
The goal isn’t to displace us, but to import communal artistry — Kenyan wood and beadwork can be found in the pathways, resting spaces and more — as a show of admiration rather than imitation.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
At first, its proliferation seemed to constitute a typical case of Hollywood copycatting; Big Little Lies becomes a smash, wins eight Emmys, begets flimsy imitations that lots of people watch anyway.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitation
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Noun
Somewhere between folk art and statement home decor, this four-panel imitation of an impressionist oil painting says a thing or two about your knack for putting a room together.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Feb. 2026
But Baehren and Carvalho pointed out that these behaviors, which took place rarely and in captivity, might only be imitations of human communication.
—Shayla Love, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026
The goal isn’t to displace us, but to import communal artistry — Kenyan wood and beadwork can be found in the pathways, resting spaces and more — as a show of admiration rather than imitation.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
At first, its proliferation seemed to constitute a typical case of Hollywood copycatting; Big Little Lies becomes a smash, wins eight Emmys, begets flimsy imitations that lots of people watch anyway.
—Judy Berman, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imitation
Cite this Entry
“Imitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imitation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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