duplication
n. C / Un. the act of making an exact copy of something. It can also mean when the same work is done twice by mistake.
n. the act or process of creating an identical copy of something; the state of being repeated or doubled. In biological contexts, refers specifically to the replication of genetic material or cellular structures.
The office has a system to prevent the duplication of files.
The manager noticed a duplication of efforts because two different teams were working on the same report.
Genetic duplication can lead to the evolution of new functions, as the extra copy of a gene is free to mutate without harming the organism's survival.
From Middle English duplicacioun, from Middle French duplication, from Late Latin duplicātiō, duplicātiōnem, from Latin duplicō. Morphologically duplicate + -ion.
Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to specific instances of copying.