Copy (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

noun, plural cop·ies, for 1, 2, 8, 10.

an imitation, reproduction, or transcript of an original: a copy of a famous painting.
one of the various examples or specimens of the same book, engraving, or the like.
written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form: The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.
the text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material.
the newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often preceded by good or bad): The president is always good copy.
an exact duplicate of a file, program, etc.: Keep a backup copy of the document.
replication (def. 7).
pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction.
(in schools) a composition; a written assignment.
a size of drawing or writing paper, 16 × 20 inches (40 × 50 centimeters).
something that is to be reproduced; an example or pattern, as of penmanship to be copied by a pupil.

verb (used with object), cop·ied, cop·y·ing.

to make a copy of; transcribe; reproduce: to copy a set of figures from a book.
to receive and understand (a radio message or its sender).
to follow as a pattern or model; imitate.
to make an exact duplicate of (a file, selected text, etc.) and store in another location or in temporary memory: Can I copy the program to another computer? Copy the selected paragraph to the clipboard.

verb (used without object), cop·ied, cop·y·ing.

to make a copy or copies.
to undergo copying: It copied poorly.I can't install the program—one file won't copy.
to hear or receive a radio message, as over a CB radio: Do you copy?
to leap from one ice pan to another across open water.

Idioms

noun plural copies

an imitation or reproduction of an original
a single specimen of something that occurs in a multiple edition, such as a book, article, etc

matter to be reproduced in print
written matter or text as distinct from graphic material in books, newspapers, etc

verb copies, copying or copied

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