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

Renaissance

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 Renaissance : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity

3

: rebirth, revival

Synonyms of renaissance

• millennium
• golden age
• zenith
• 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

The return of the wedge sneaker speaks to the boho renaissance kickstarted on the Spring/Summer 2026 runways. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026

Under new manager Martin Ho, Spurs have undergone a compelling renaissance, one that could just finally be the disruptive force WSL fans has screamed out for and the traditional top four has feared. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

The effort helped reignite the public’s interest in the historic road, and, as the years went by, Seligman became a hub of Route 66 nostalgia, earning a reputation as the birthplace of the historic route’s renaissance. —Daria Bachmann, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026

Now, Croft and Manheim step under the locks previously worn by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, who respectively voiced the parts in the original movie, now regarded as a modern classic and part of Disney Animation’s second renaissance. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026

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

1830, 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)