emulation — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The endeavor or desire to equal or excel someone else in qualities or actions.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   a great figure who is worthy of respect and emulation

   More examples (1)

   Allur'd, not forc'd, encourag'd, not compell'd; The shrinking eye look'd up, the soul was cheer'd, Felt as it learnt, confided e'er it fear'd; And first by emulation's ardour mov'd, Prest onward in the path which soon it lov'd.

2. Jealous rivalry; envy; envious contention.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Obsolete
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Scarce two gentlemen dwell together in the country […] , but there is emulation betwixt them and their servants, some quarrel or some grudge betwixt their wives or children […]

3. Execution of a program or other software designed for a different system, by simulating parts of the other system.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. ambition to equal or excel

   Broader terms

   ambitionaspirationdream

2. (computer science) technique of one machine obtaining the same results as another

   Broader terms

   technique

3. effort to equal or surpass another

   Broader terms

   imitation