awakening

noun

awak·​en·​ing ə-ˈwāk-niŋ 

ə-ˈwā-kə-

plural awakenings

1

: a rousing from sleep

The night terror is an abrupt awakening early in the night, most often within the first hour or two of sleep …

—Franklin Galvin et al.

2

a

: a rousing from inactivity or indifference

… one of the primary branches of yoga … prescribes various practices to assist the yogi in the gradual awakening of the heart.

—James Bailey

b

: a revival of interest in something (such as religion)

Russian Jews themselves experienced a cultural and political awakening after Israel's victory, some openly challenging their government's ban on religious and Hebrew training.

—Jonathan D. Sarna

3

: a coming into awareness

Like his discovery of literature, this intimacy becomes an awakening to the possibilities of life.

—Morris Dickstein

Examples of awakening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The extraordinary service will so pamper you that your return to real life may be a rough awakening. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Aug. 2026

To wander past St James’ Park on the morning of October 8, 2021, glimpsing workers and fans cleaning up the debris of 12 hours earlier, was to observe the aftermath of an awakening. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Drawing from Baldwin’s own experiences, the novel explores a young man’s spiritual and personal awakening while examining the lasting impact of history, sin, and love. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 24 July 2026

The awakening struck during a meeting of the GE power brass in Atlanta that Culp attended as a board member in the summer of 2018. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing awakening

• rude awakening

Rhymes for awakening

• reawakening
• wakening