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

Born Donna Jean Thatcher in Florence, Alabama, Godchaux started her career in nearby Muscle Shoals, which was then at the center of a rock and soul renaissance during the 1960s. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025

Her mesmerizing turn in Mother Bhumi, which translates as mother earth, suggests a renaissance that is exploring new depths to her acting. —Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2025

But the recent renaissance of high-end cast-iron cookware has brought back these vintage-style pans, and the Lancaster is our favorite of the bunch. —Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025

Figuring out where to put the waste will be integral to any dreams of a nuclear renaissance in America. —Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 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)