simulation

The word “simulation” means a model or reproduction of a real system or situation, used to study or predict how it behaves. In plain terms, a model that recreates something real, or (in sport) faking a foul.

“Simulation” is pronounced sihm-yuu-LAY-shn (/ˌsɪm.jəˈleɪ.ʃn̩/ in IPA).

Here is “simulation” used in a sentence: “Scientists ran a simulation to predict the storm's path.”

Words with a similar meaning to “simulation” include imitation and replica.

“Simulation” is a noun.

The word “simulation” comes from Latin. From Latin simulatio, from simulare ("to imitate").

“Simulation” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Simulation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a model or reproduction of a real system or situation, used to study or predict how it behaves.

A model is a simplified representation of a real system, while a simulation is the process of running that model over time to see how the system behaves. In short, you build a model and then use a simulation to put it in motion.

A simulation imitates the behaviour of a system in order to study or predict it, without necessarily reproducing it exactly. An emulation aims to reproduce the exact function of one system on another, a distinction that matters especially in computing.

In football, simulation means faking a foul or injury to deceive the referee into awarding an unfair advantage. Because it is an attempt to cheat, referees treat it as unsporting behaviour and usually punish the offender with a yellow card.

A replica is a static copy of an object, whereas a simulation reproduces how a system or situation behaves and changes over time. A simulation is about modelling behaviour, not just copying appearance.