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

We're headed for a space renaissance, and it will be focused on the Moon. — Space.com Staff, Space.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Large purses are having a renaissance with stars like Katie Holmes and Dakota Johnson, who both opted for oversized tote bags. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Long before hockey’s current pop-culture renaissance, the sport was already a second home for Noah LaLonde, having played competitively for most of his childhood. — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026

Soda has experienced a bit of a renaissance lately, becoming more of a wistful cool girl accessory than movie theater staple. — Loren Savini, Allure, 13 Aug. 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

• 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)