regenerate

adjective re·gen·er·ate \ ri-ˈje-nə-rət , -ˈjen-rət \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: regenerate in a Sentence

Definition of regenerate

1 : formed or created again

2 : spiritually reborn or converted

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

—

regenerately

adverb

—

regenerateness

noun

See regenerate defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of regenerate

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

regenerate

verb re·gen·er·ate \ ri-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt \

Definition of regenerate

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

play \ri-ˈje-nə-rə-bəl, -ˈjen-rə-\ adjective

See regenerate defined for English-language learners

Examples of regenerate in a Sentence

The lizard's tail can regenerate.
The lizard is able to regenerate its tail.
The tissue cells can regenerate themselves.

Recent Examples of regenerate from the Web

Look for this futuristic machine to regenerate at full speed by autumn.

— bruce jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, "Who will challenge the Warriors next season? Let the LeBron free agency watch begin," 9 June 2018
However, this ability to regenerate his art has some space limitations.

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "The Modern goes big and bright with international art star Murakami retrospective," 8 June 2018
Bynum’s knees couldn’t be regenerated in a petri dish, the Sixers clearly topped out as a middling playoff team, and staunch changes were necessary.

— jake fischer, SI.com, "Sixers Should Follow Sam Hinkie's Process When Finding Bryan Colangelo's Successor," 7 June 2018
Williams is striving to regenerate her traditions through ethno-botany, which looks at how various cultures have utilized native plants.

— morgan hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "How fresh cucumbers, spinach are transforming impoverished Milwaukee neighborhoods," 30 May 2018
Think: bodysuits and jumpsuits made of Tencel, a fabric regenerated from wood cellulose.

— kristen bateman, Allure, "12 Best Places to Shop for Affordable Wedding Dresses," 4 May 2018
In subsequent, unpublished work, the compound stopped the growth of rapidly regenerating tissue in zebra fish, suggesting an indirect role in inhibiting some fast-growing tumors.

— peter andrey smith, Scientific American, "Microbes Living in Antarctic Huts Produce Novel Chemical Compounds," 1 June 2018
Glacial melt and overgrazing from livestock speed up mountain erosion and hinder plants’ ability to regenerate, which gives herbivores fewer food options, thereby threatening leopards.

— adam popescu, Washington Post, "Tracking one of the world’s most elusive cats," 19 May 2018
The skin cells of a young adult regenerate about every 30 days.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The clinical advantage of chemical peels," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'regenerate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of regenerate

circa 1525

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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regenerate Synonyms

Synonyms

freshen, recharge, recreate, refresh, refreshen, rejuvenate, renew, repair, restore, resuscitate, revitalize, revive;

refill, replenish, resupply;

modernize, update;

regenerate

noun re·gen·er·ate \ ri-ˈje-nə-rət , -ˈjen-rət \

Definition of regenerate

: 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

Recent Examples of regenerate from the Web

Be warned: your commander health bar regenerates very slowly, and getting killed while spying on a foe (or waiting for your map-warping burrow) will freeze you out for a few seconds' worth of respawn.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Tooth and Tail review: Delightful, rodent-riddled StarCraft for the rest of us," 17 Sep. 2017
Rule 6: Get Eight Hours of Good Sleep Each Night Sleep is when your body recovers and regenerates.

— anthony j. yeung, Esquire, "7 Simple Rules for Getting Lean in 2017," 29 Dec. 2016