WordGarden.iosimulation
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˌɪmjʊlˈeɪʃən/
US
- /ˌsɪmjəˈleɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
a modeled reproduction of a real process, system, or set of conditions for study, testing, or training
the act of pretending to feel, have, or be something, or of making it only seem real
a video game or digital experience designed to reproduce a real activity or system
Beyond the definition
A simulation is a way of copying how something real works or happens, often with a model or a computer program. Think about flight simulators used to train pilots; they recreate the experience of flying without actually leaving the ground. But this idea is not only for training. Many video games are a kind of simulation, letting you explore systems, worlds, or situations in a realistic way. Even role-playing with friends can be a simple form of it. The word comes from the Latin similis, meaning "similar."
A simulation is an attempt to replicate the conditions or behavior of something real, often for purposes of training, experimentation, or entertainment. It's about creating a model—whether physical, digital, or conceptual—that behaves like its real-world counterpart.
The most common image today might be computer simulations: complex programs used in fields like weather forecasting, engineering, and economics to predict outcomes and test scenarios without the risks or costs of real-life experimentation. However, simulation has a broader meaning. A war game played with miniatures on a tabletop is a simulation of battle. Practicing a speech in front of a mirror is a simulation of public speaking. Even daydreaming about how you'd handle a difficult conversation can be considered a mental simulation.
The term also appears in philosophy and science fiction, where it raises fascinating questions: could our entire reality be a simulation created by an advanced civilization?
So, whether it is a high-tech computer program, a simple game, or a thought experiment, a simulation is all about creating a representation of something else—a way to explore possibilities, learn from experience, and understand the world around us. It's a powerful tool for learning, planning, and even imagining what could be.
Examples
- 1
Engineering
Engineers ran a computer simulation of the new bridge before construction began.
- 2
Pilot training
The pilots trained in a flight simulation before flying the actual aircraft.
- 3
Research testing
The research team ran thousands of simulations overnight to test different scenarios.
- 4
Test environment
The new battery worked well in simulation, but it failed in real-world use.
- Phrasein simulation
in a computer model or test environment, not in real conditions
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Game genre
The game is a business simulation where you manage a small restaurant.
- 6
False friendliness
His polite smile felt like a simulation of friendliness rather than the real thing.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- modeling
- reenactment
- role-play
Contrast
- reality
- live experiment
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- computer simulation
- run a simulation
- simulation model
- training simulation
Word family
Explore
- systems modeling
- digital twin
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- simulationnoun
Forms
- simulationspluralnoun