iteration

iteration — noun

1. The act of performing an action or process repeatedly, with the aim of making it

1.nounB2
Definition

The act of performing an action or process repeatedly, with the aim of making it better each time; or one single cycle within such a repeated series.

Example

The design team went through several iterations before finalising the product.

collocation: several iterations / through iterations

Each iteration of the training program brought better results for the students.

pattern: each iteration of + [noun]

Common collocations
  • first iteration
  • next iteration
  • multiple iterations
  • several iterations
  • subsequent iterations
  • iteration of the design
Synonyms
  • repetition

    neutral — just doing again, without the improvement goal that iteration implies

  • round

    less formal — one stage in a process, often used with 'of' (e.g. 'round of talks')

  • revision

    focuses on changing/correcting content rather than cycling through a full process

Antonyms
  • one-off

    a single event that is not repeated

Grammar Patterns

[number] + iteration(s) + of + [noun]

through + [number] + iterations

iteration + after + iteration

Usage Note

Commonly used with 'through', 'multiple', 'several', 'first', and 'next'. Often appears in design, writing, and product-development contexts.

Common Mistakes

We need one more repeat of the design before the deadline.
We need one more iteration of the design before the deadline.
'repeat' simply means doing it again; 'iteration' implies a planned cycle that aims to improve.

2. A single application of a mathematical or computational rule to a number or data

2.nounC1
Definition

A single application of a mathematical or computational rule to a number or data set; or the entire sequence of such repeated applications, where the output of one step becomes the input for the next.

Example

The algorithm reaches a stable result after about ten iterations of the calculation.

collocation: [number] + iterations of + [noun]

Each iteration of the loop processes one row of data from the spreadsheet.

pattern: each iteration of + [software construct]

Common collocations
  • next iteration
  • previous iteration
  • each iteration
  • iterations per second
  • iteration of the loop
Synonyms
  • loop pass

    programming-specific — one cycle of a loop in code

  • recurrence

    mathematical — focuses on the recurrence relation, not the process

  • cycle

    broader — a single complete execution of a repeated process

Grammar Patterns

[number] + iterations

iteration + of + [algorithm/loop/formula]

per + iteration

Usage Note

In mathematics and computing, this sense is followed by a number ('10 iterations') or a reference to the rule or loop being applied ('iteration of the algorithm'). The adjective 'iterative' (e.g., 'iterative method') describes a process that achieves results through repeated iterations.

Common Mistakes

The computer ran 100 repetitions of the formula.
The computer ran 100 iterations of the formula.
'repetition' is a general term; 'iteration' is the precise technical term in programming and mathematics for repeated application of a rule.

3. Each distinct release of a product that improves upon what came before, especial

3.nounB2
Definition

Each distinct release of a product that improves upon what came before, especially a new build of a software program.

Example

The latest iteration of the app runs much faster than the original release.

collocation: latest iteration of + [product]

Christopher downloaded the first iteration of the software, which was missing several features.

Common collocations
  • latest iteration
  • next iteration
  • new iteration
  • first iteration
  • current iteration
Synonyms
  • version

    more general — any distinct form, not necessarily tied to an improvement cycle

  • release

    focuses on the public launch rather than the development cycle

  • edition

    often used for printed works or special releases, not typical for software

Antonyms
  • original

    the very first version, before any iterations

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] + iteration + of + [product/software]

Usage Note

In software contexts, 'iteration' is often interchangeable with 'version' but suggests a development-cycle perspective — each iteration is the result of a design-build-test cycle. The term is also used in agile development for time-boxed development cycles.

Common Mistakes

This iteration of the phone just has a different colour.
This version of the phone just has a different colour.
'iteration' implies changes or refinements; if nothing was meaningfully improved, 'version' is more appropriate.

Word family

  • iterate
    verbB2
  • iterative
    adjectiveB2
  • iteratively
    adverbC1
  • reiterate
    verbC1
  • reiteration
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe something that happens more than once, but they differ in purpose and scope. 'Repetition' is the broadest — it simply means doing or saying the same thing again, without any implication of improvement ('The repetition of the exercise builds muscle memory'). 'Iteration' adds the idea of a planned cycle aimed at gradual refinement; each iteration builds on the previous one to make something better ('After several iterations, the design was ready for production'). 'Revision' focuses on changing or correcting content, especially in writing ('The essay needs a thorough revision before submission'). 'Version' is a result, not a process — it refers to a specific form or release ('This version of the software has a new login screen'). Use 'iteration' when you want to emphasise the cyclic, improvement-driven nature of the process.

iteration ↗repetition ↗revision ↗version ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • design iteration
  • product iteration
  • software iteration
  • algorithm iteration
  • testing iteration

Adverbs

Phrases

  • iteration by iteration
  • iteration after iteration
  • first iteration
  • next iteration
  • latest iteration
  • subsequent iteration

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinMiddle FrenchEnglish

The word comes from Latin 'iterātiō', meaning 'a repeating', which is formed from 'iterāre' ('to do again') and ultimately from 'iterum' ('again'). It entered English in the 15th century through Middle French, originally used for general repetition. The mathematical and computing senses developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as engineering and computer science formalised the idea of repeated application of a rule.