renown

1 of 2

noun

re·​nown ri-ˈnau̇n 

1

: a state of being widely acclaimed and highly honored : fame

2

obsolete : report, rumor

renown

2 of 2

verb

renowned; renowning; renowns

transitive verb

: to give renown to

Synonyms of renown

Noun

• fame
• notoriety
• celebrity
• repute
• reputation

Examples of renown in a Sentence

Noun

He achieved great renown for his discoveries.

Her photographs have earned her international renown.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The band shot to national renown after playing their first show at the Windmill pub in Brixton. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 2026

Founded in China and now based in Singapore, Manus drew global renown for its progress with building artificial intelligence agents. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

Fine-art style posters, flowery marketing and the promise of in-person spectacle, along with industry renown, helped drive visitation to 100,000 people by 1927 — an at least 10-fold increase since its founding. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026

The moment underscored the unifying, propulsive force that began with a handful of enthusiasts and grew into an institution of international renown. —Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English renoun, from Anglo-French renum, renoun, from renomer to report, speak of, from re- + nomer to name, from Latin nominare, from nomin-, nomen name — more at name

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing renown

• of renown

Rhymes for renown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

renown

noun

re·​nown

ri-ˈnau̇n

: a state of being widely known and highly honored : fame