regenerate

1 of 3

adjective

re·​gen·​er·​ate ri-ˈje-nə-rət 

-ˈjen-rət

1

: formed or created again

2

: spiritually reborn or converted

3

: restored to a better, higher, or more worthy state

regenerately adverb

regenerateness noun

regenerate

2 of 3

verb

re·​gen·​er·​ate ri-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt 

regenerated; regenerating; regenerates

intransitive verb

1

: to become formed again

2

: to become regenerate : reform

3

: to undergo regeneration

transitive verb

1

a

: to subject to spiritual regeneration

b

: to change radically and for the better

2

a

: to generate or produce anew

especially : to replace (a body part) by a new growth of tissue

b

: to produce again chemically sometimes in a physically changed form

3

: to restore to original strength or properties

regenerable

ri-ˈje-nə-rə-bəl 

-ˈjen-rə-

adjective

regenerate

3 of 3

noun

re·​gen·​er·​ate ri-ˈje-nə-rət 

-ˈjen-rət

: one that is regenerated: such as

a

: an individual who is spiritually reborn

b(1)

: an organism that has undergone regeneration

(2)

: a regenerated body part

Synonyms of regenerate

Verb

• restore
• revive
• refresh
• recreate

Examples of regenerate in a Sentence

Verb

The lizard's tail can regenerate.

The lizard is able to regenerate its tail.

The tissue cells can regenerate themselves.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Forests constantly change as trees grow, die, regenerate, or are cleared for human activities. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026

Come here to rest, regenerate, and detoxify—to return to your true self, and learn how to stay that way. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026

Verb

Asked for a snowy day, Dana’s world models regenerate an entire driving scene in snow, rain or sunshine, across every camera on the car. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Because in an era where time to replenish is a strategic metric, technical advantage matters only when it can be produced, certified, delivered, sustained, and regenerated at the rate readiness demands. — Jean-Louis Rassineux, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Noun

Their hearts and parapodia (appendages for swimming and crawling) regenerate, and in 17 days the slugs are good as new. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026

It is linked to nature and that which flourishes and regenerates. — Alex Sales, Glamour, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English regenerat, from Latin regeneratus, past participle of regenerare to regenerate, from re- + generare to beget — more at generate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1551, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for regenerate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

regenerate

1 of 2 adjective

re·​gen·​er·​ate ri-ˈjen-(ə-)rət 

: spiritually reborn or renewed

regenerate

2 of 2 verb

re·​gen·​er·​ate ri-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt 

1

: to cause to be reborn spiritually

2

: to reform completely in ways of thinking and behaving

3

: to generate or produce again

especially : to replace (a lost or damaged body part) by a new growth of tissue

4

: to give new life to : revive

land regenerated by rotation of crops

Medical Definition

regenerate

verb

re·​gen·​er·​ate ri-ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt 

regenerated; regenerating

intransitive verb

1

: to become formed again

2

: to undergo regeneration

the human bladder and liver can regenerate when injured

transitive verb

1

: to generate or produce anew

especially : to replace (a body part) by a new growth of tissue

2

: to produce again chemically sometimes in a physically changed form

regenerable

-ˈjen-(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective