renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˈre-nə-ˌsän(t)s  -ˌzän(t)s 

-ˌsäⁿs,

-ˌzäⁿs;

ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s 

-ˈzän(t)s,

-ˈsäⁿs,

-ˈzäⁿs,

 chiefly British  ri-ˈnā-sᵊn(t)s

often attributive

1

capitalized

a

: the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science

b

: the period of the Renaissance

c

: the neoclassical style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity

3

: rebirth, revival

Synonyms

• millennium
• golden age
• pinnacle

Examples of renaissance in a Sentence

a book on the Renaissance

the 19th-century literary renaissance that prompted people to refer to Boston as the Athens of America

Recent Examples on the Web

Providing both a blueprint for success and supplemental funds to other racing venues within the state, the piece of property within rock-throwing distance of the Tennessee state line has helped initiate a renaissance. —Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Gallery rails—also known as picture or art rails—are seeing a huge renaissance in modern designs. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2025

Add it to the seven standout years that preceded it and the 2025 renaissance, and deGrom might make the Hall of Fame, after all. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025

Fawlty Towers, which featured Cleese’s Fawlty, has enjoyed a renaissance as a West End stage show, and Cleese announced in 2023 that a TV reboot was in the works at Rob Reiner‘s Castle Rock Entertainment. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, rebirth, from Old French renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for renaissance

• esperance
• nonchalance
• nonresponse
• bons
• hans
• launce
• nonce
• sconce
• naissance
• response

Kids Definition

renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˌren-ə-ˈsän(t)s  -ˈzän(t)s 

1

capitalized : the period of European history between the 14th and 17th centuries marked by a flourishing of art and literature inspired by ancient times and by the beginnings of modern science

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of great activity (as in literature, science, and the arts)