# iteration

/ˌɪtɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌɪtəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/iteration
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a version or variation

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a new or different version of a design, product, or idea.

For teachers: a distinct version or variation of a design, product, or concept, typically resulting from a process of refinement.

- The latest iteration of the smartphone has a much better camera than the last one.
- The design team went through several iterations of the logo before finding one that truly captured the brand's identity.

### 2. repetition of a process

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Technical

the act of repeating a process or a set of instructions.

For teachers: the act of repeating a process, often with the aim of approaching a desired goal or result.

- Success in science often requires the iteration of experiments to ensure the results are correct.
- The mathematical model relies on the constant iteration of the formula to predict long-term climate patterns accurately.

### 3. a single loop in code

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

one single time that a set of instructions is run in a computer program.

For teachers: a single execution of a set of instructions within a computer program loop.

- The program crashed during the third iteration of the loop because of a memory error.
- The algorithm processes one data packet per iteration, ensuring that system resources are not overwhelmed during the transfer.

## Examples

- The latest iteration of the app is much faster.
- After three weeks of testing, the design team released the fourth iteration of the prototype to address user feedback.
- The software development lifecycle relies on rapid iteration to identify bugs and refine the user interface before the final product reaches the consumer market.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.