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

Wyle won the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series last year, and the show won Outstanding Drama Series for its first season, leading a renaissance in the medical genre. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2026

O’Hara, best known for playing Kevin’s (Macaulay Culkin) mother, Kate, in the Home Alone movies and Delia Deetz in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, had a career renaissance in the past 10 years with Schitt’s Creek. —Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026

If growth accelerates as Slok anticipates—driven by data center construction, a manufacturing renaissance, and fiscal stimulus—inflationary pressures could force the central bank to tighten monetary policy rather than loosen it. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026

The new face of Baltimore's neighborhoods People like Kourtnee Turner have become the face of a Baltimore renaissance. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 9 Feb. 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)