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simulation

simulation

199 4.7
A model of a real situation made to study or test it, often on a computer
  • noun
  • /ˌsɪmjuˈleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
: simulación
  • In our physics class, we used a computer simulation to model the movement of planets.
  • computer simulation
  • run simulations
  • use simulations

OK, Don't blame me if you watch one of these simulations and get very nauseous.

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Examples

  • As a science teacher, I too see the importance of utilizing simulations within the classroom.

    Academic text (2008)
  • All right, I'm gonna run the simulation model on Belgium and Holland again just to be safe.

  • So this is a simulation that does the right thing.

  • You have a simulation with great detail.

  • OK, I have another little movie, which is a simulation of this first event.

  • So here what we see is a pretty typical kind of simulation of the type that we do.

  • This is a simulation of a baking process.

  • We performed multiple runs of the simulation for each scenario to gather population-level statistics.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The parameter values for the simulation were derived from empirical data and our expert judgment.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The training course included a simulation of emergency procedures to prepare the staff.

Synonyms

model
vssimulation
  • Specialized
905 3.9

A small copy of a real thing used to show or study it

is more specific, made to imitate real systems often using computers for testing
computer simulation
vssimulation
  • Specialized
12 3.9

A computer program that shows how real systems behave

is broader, may include non-computer imitations or physical models
sim
vssimulation
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A computer model that tests how something works in different situations

is the general method rather than just one run or trial

Antonyms

∞ 1.4

The way things really are, not how we imagine or wish

71 4.8

A quality that shows something is real and believable to people

Compounds

computer simulation
  • Specialized
12 3.9

A computer program that shows how real systems behave

How Accurate

replica
82 3.6
emulation
  • Specialized
3 6.7
simulation
  • Specialized
199 4.7
model
  • Specialized
905 3.9
mock-up
  • Specialized
10 4.8

Surface Forms

simulation singular
simulations plural

Morphology

simulation = simulate (transparent) = simulate + ion

Clear nominalization from 'simulate' indicating 'an imitation or model'; the technical/computational sense is a straightforward extension of 'to imitate'.

Etymology

Simulation comes from the Latin verb simulare, meaning 'to make like', and is related to similar from similis, meaning 'like'. So a simulation as a model or computer test is something made to be 'like' the real system so we can study, train, or test it.