regenerate

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

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

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

See Words from the same year

regenerate

verb re·gen·er·ate \ ri-ˈje-nə-ˌrāt \

Definition of regenerate

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

The experimental drug is designed to inhibit fibrosis, allowing the liver to regenerate.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Conatus liver drug disappoints in testing, shares fall," 6 Apr. 2018
Inka Moss, the only Peruvian exporter, has been teaching communities in the central Junín region since 2010 to harvest moss without uprooting it, allowing the plant to regenerate.

— The Economist, "Peru discovers the value of moss," 5 Apr. 2018
More than thirty musicians have joined the ensemble since the strike, regenerating its sound.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Augustin Hadelich’s Bold Violin Explorations," 2 Apr. 2018
Your ability to regenerate is fueled by your willingness to let go.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "What April's Virgo Horoscope Means for You," 29 Mar. 2018
Their work regenerating the temple complex won the hotel a UNESCO award for conservation.

— alice newell-hanson, Condé Nast Traveler, "19 Hotels That Used to Be Churches, Temples, and More," 29 Mar. 2018
Taste buds constantly regenerate as the 50 to 100 cells inside them mature, die off and are replaced by new ones.

— lauren neergaard, Fox News, "Study finds obesity robs the tongue of taste buds in mice," 21 Mar. 2018
Gibson is the co-leader of a 22-person team from her university that traveled to Puerto Rico to volunteer six months after hurricane María, cleaning up debris and helping regenerate parts of the forest destroyed by the Category 4 storm.

— whitney eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, "Spring break in Puerto Rico? After María, that means 'rebuild,' not 'relax'," 23 Mar. 2018
Taste buds constantly regenerate as the 50 to 100 cells inside them mature, die off and are replaced by new ones.

— lauren neergaard, Fox News, "Study finds obesity robs the tongue of taste buds in mice," 21 Mar. 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

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