Repeatable

Repeatable is an adjective that describes something capable of being performed again with similar results, typically under the same conditions. It is used across fields such as science, engineering, software, and manufacturing to convey that an action or outcome can be repeated reliably.

In scientific and measurement contexts, repeatability refers to how closely successive measurements or observations match when the same procedures, equipment, and conditions are used by the same operator in a short time. It is a component of the broader concept of reproducibility, which concerns consistency when conditions change (for example, different operators, instruments, or locations). A highly repeatable measurement yields little variation across repeated trials, while larger variation indicates lower repeatability and may point to systematic or random errors.

In software and process engineering, a repeatable test or run means that the same inputs, configuration, and environment produce the same outcome on repeated executions. Achieving repeatability often requires controlling randomness (for example, by seeding random number generators), versioning code, and using deterministic algorithms. In manufacturing and quality control, a repeatable process produces consistent products when performed under the same procedures and settings by the same equipment and personnel.

Etymologically, repeatable derives from the verb repeat plus the suffix -able, indicating the quality of being capable of repetition. The term emphasizes consistency and predictability as opposed to novelty or variability.

See also: reproducibility, determinism, quality control.