reactivation

noun

re·​ac·​ti·​va·​tion (ˌ)rē-ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

plural reactivations

: the act or process of making something active again or becoming active again : the act or process of reactivating or the condition of being reactivated

reactivation of a dormant virus

reactivation of several warships

Examples of reactivation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But being vigilant and seeking medical attention at the first sign of the illness—which is caused by a reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same culprit behind chicken pox—can make a big difference in your recovery. —Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025

The most obvious explanation would be that if the reactivation of the virus during a shingles episode predisposes someone to developing dementia, preventing reactivation with the vaccine would reduce the risk of developing dementia. —Christopher M. Worsham, Time, 4 Apr. 2025

Suppressing the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus reduces dementia onset. —John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025

It is recommended for all adults 50 and older to prevent painful bouts of shingles, a reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reactivation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

reactivation

noun

re·​ac·​ti·​va·​tion -ˌak-tə-ˈvā-shən 

: the act or process of reactivating or condition of being reactivated