simulation
gb/sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/ us/sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 4400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
Imitation of a real process
An activity or program that copies how something works in real life, used for practice or learning.
Usage pattern:
a simulation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'simulation' with 'stimulus' because both can be used in science contexts.
Synonyms
modeling (Focuses on building a representation, often mathematical or structural, rather than the act of running it.)
|
reproduction (Suggests making a copy, but less about interactive practice.)
Antonyms
reality (The actual situation or event, not an imitation.)
Collocations
flight simulation
|computer simulation
|war simulation
|training simulation
|driving simulation
Themes
science
|education
|technology
Examples
- The flight simulation helped the pilots practice emergency landings.
- They ran a computer simulation to predict climate changes.
- The military uses war simulations to prepare soldiers for combat.
- A driving simulation can help new drivers learn safely.
- Medical students practiced surgery on a virtual reality simulation.
Learner examples
- The pilot uses a flight simulation to train.
- We did a computer simulation in science class.
- The game is a simulation of farming.
- Doctors use a simulation to practice operations.
Noun
B2
action
2
Imitation to mislead
When someone pretends to have something or feel something to trick others.
Usage pattern:
simulation of [an illness/emotion]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'role-play' for training, but here the purpose is deception.
Synonyms
feigning (Strongly implies intentional deception.)
|
pretending (More general and can be playful as well as deceptive.)
Antonyms
genuineness (The quality of being real and not faked.)
Collocations
simulation of illness
|simulation of emotion
|simulation of injury
Themes
psychology
|social behavior
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His simulation of illness got him out of work.
- The actor's simulation of anger was very convincing.
- They accused her of the simulation of injury to avoid the race.
Learner examples
- He made a simulation of being sick.
- She used simulation of pain to get help.
- The student did a simulation of sadness to get attention.
Grammar
Dictionary form
simulation
IPA
GB/sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/
US/sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
sim - u - la - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (la)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: simulation
- Plural: simulation, simulations
Word family
Expressions
computer simulation
1/kəmpjˈutɚ sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Process imitation with computers
Using a computer to copy and study how something works in real life.
Examples
- They used computer simulation to model the spread of the disease.
- Computer simulations can save time and money in engineering.
driving simulation
1/dɹˈaɪvɪŋ sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Vehicle driving practice model
A program or machine that copies how driving works so people can practice safely.
Examples
- Driving simulations are used in schools to teach safe driving skills.
- She improved her reaction time through driving simulation training.
flight simulation
1/flˈaɪt sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Aircraft operation imitation for training
A computer program or machine that copies how flying an aircraft works, used for practice.
Examples
- Flight simulation is essential for pilot training.
- She spent hours in flight simulation before her first solo flight.
war simulation
1/wˈɔɹ sˌɪmjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Military conflict imitation exercise
A practice activity that copies how a war might happen, used by soldiers and planners.
Examples
- War simulations help armies prepare for different situations.
- The exercise was a large-scale war simulation involving multiple countries.