revival

noun

re·​viv·​al ri-ˈvī-vəl 

1

: an act or instance of reviving : the state of being revived: such as

a

: renewed attention to or interest in something

b

: a new presentation or publication of something old

c(1)

: a period of renewed religious interest

(2)

: an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings

2

: restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract)

Synonyms of revival

• resurgence
• rebirth
• renewal

Examples of revival in a Sentence

a revival of biographical writing

a revival in Gothic architecture

Fashions from the 1970s are enjoying a revival.

The city is showing signs of revival.

There are three musical revivals on Broadway this season.

The opera company is staging a revival of Verdi's Don Carlos.

Recent Examples on the Web

While these sachets are great for revival, the first prize is maintaining adequate hydration from the jump. — Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

The musical will be directed by Bartlett Sher, who is best known for his work on large-scale revival musicals like The King and I and South Pacific. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 July 2026

Under Madison Square Garden, Penn Station is poised for its own revival as Amtrak launches an ambitious overhaul of the Western Hemisphere’s busiest rail hub. — Andy Byford, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

His two goals and man-of-the-match performance against Canada in Morocco’s 3-0 win in this World Cup feels like the culmination of his revival, an upward point on a satisfying narrative arc. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revival

• revival meeting

Rhymes for revival

• archival
• arrival
• survival
• conjunctival
• rival
• subconjunctival

Kids Definition

revival

noun

re·​viv·​al ri-ˈvī-vəl 

1

: a reviving of interest (as in art, literature, or religion)

2

: a new presentation or publication (as of a book, play, or movie)

3

: a new growth or increase

a revival of business

4

: a meeting or series of meetings conducted by a preacher to arouse religious emotions or to make converts

Legal Definition

revival

noun

re·​vi·​val ri-ˈvī-vəl 

: an act or instance of reviving