regenerate

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

Synonyms of regenerate

• restore
• revive
• refresh
• recreate

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 on the Web

Leclerc noted that this is because the cars will regenerate through the circuit's slower corners, and there are plenty of those. —Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

Scarring frequently gets in the way of nerve fiber regrowth, while nerve cells usually cannot regenerate on their own. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 June 2026

Each version offers varying levels of creative control, with Pro Mode users gaining the ability to edit hyper-specific story details and quickly regenerate their videos within the Canvas workspace. —Corbin Bolies, Variety, 2 June 2026

Hailing from Guatemala, Hazel moved to the island in early 2023 to begin regenerating coral around the island. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

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