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

The musical revival, starring Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher, ends its run after about seven months on Broadway. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026

Lloyd directs the Tim Rice-Andrew Lloyd Webber revival, which received two Olivier Awards (including Best Actress in a Musical for Zegler) for the 2025 staging. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 May 2026

John Benjamin Hickey is directing the revival of Jon Robin Baitz’s play, which was first staged at Lincoln Center in 2011 before transferring to Broadway later that year. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 May 2026

Tony Award winner John Benjamin Hickey is set to direct the revival of the play, which was written by Jon Robin Baitz. —ABC News, 26 May 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