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renown

1 of 2

noun

re·​nown ri-ˈnau̇n How to pronounce renown (audio)
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

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
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Noun
The end of the decade would herald the onset of his first imperial period as an in demand star of international renown. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025 The global renown of the French Revolution was also enhanced by the formidable role played by French culture and the French language throughout the nineteenth century. Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025 The brand’s renown has been fanned by the likes Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who has sported a Bouguessa abaya as a long duster. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025 With the international renown of the kidnap and the constant pressure from Catriona’s father, Sir Broderick Grant (James Cosmo), the team take on the biggest challenge of their careers to date. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for renown

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of renown was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Renown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renown. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

renown

noun
re·​nown
ri-ˈnau̇n
: a state of being widely known and highly honored : fame

More from Merriam-Webster on renown

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