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

• 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

After decades of declining attendance and dwindling faith in much of the Western world, Roman Catholicism could be witnessing an unexpected revival. —Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025

The city of 150,000 between Fort Lauderdale and Miami celebrates its centennial this year while staging a half-billion-dollar downtown revival. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

The pair, who played mother-daughter duo Lorelei and Rory Gilmore on Gilmore Girls from 2000-2007 (and, of course, the revival season in 2016), are participating in a special 25th anniversary tribute during the ceremony. —Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025

Springer spoke on the team amid his revival. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025

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