resurrection

noun

res·​ur·​rec·​tion ˌre-zə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce resurrection (audio)
1
a
capitalized : the rising of Christ from the dead
b
often capitalized : the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment
c
: the state of one risen from the dead
2
3
Christian Science : a spiritualization of thought : material belief that yields to spiritual understanding
resurrectional adjective

Did you know?

Resurrection comes from Anglo-French resurreccioun. Originally, the word was used in Christian contexts to refer to the rising of Christ from the dead or to the festival celebrating this rising (now known as Easter). The word eventually began to be used more generally in the senses of "resurgence" or "revival." Its Latin root, surgere, means "to rise."

Examples of resurrection in a Sentence

He was enjoying the resurrection of his career. a resurrection of an old theory
Recent Examples on the Web The sketch began with a re-enactment of Jesus' resurrection before James Austin Johnson's Trump exited his tomb instead. USA TODAY, 31 Mar. 2024 The website explains the holy day marks Jesus' victory over sin and death, as well as points ahead to a future resurrection for anyone who is united to Jesus by their faith (Romans 6:5). Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Mar. 2024 Tarnishing of Easter Today, however, this glorious day has been tarnished and commercialized so much so, that the story of Jesus’ resurrection has become second place to the story of the Easter bunny carrying a basket filled with goodies. Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024 Like most of official Washington, Mr. Garland did not count on former President Donald J. Trump’s political resurrection after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Adam Goldman, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 When Is Orthodox Easter Each Year? Speaking of calendars, this focus on Jesus' resurrection is why Orthodox Easter falls on a separate day from Western Easter. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 From a religious standpoint, Easter eggs are supposed to represent Jesus’ resurrection. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Mar. 2024 What Is the Week Between Palm Sunday and Easter Called? Before Easter, Christians spend a week, known as the Holy Week, celebrating different aspects surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Alison Fox, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 There are some issues with Paytas’ redemptive arc — namely, that many other creators who are more marginalized than she, and have pissed off far fewer people, would likely not be granted as many resurrections. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'resurrection.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resurreccioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin resurrection-, resurrectio act of rising from the dead, from resurgere to rise from the dead, from Latin, to rise again, from re- + surgere to rise — more at surge

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

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Dictionary Entries Near resurrection

Cite this Entry

“Resurrection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resurrection. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

resurrection

noun
res·​ur·​rec·​tion ˌrez-ə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce resurrection (audio)
1
a
capitalized : the rising of Jesus from the dead
b
often capitalized : the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment
2
resurrectional
-shnəl How to pronounce resurrection (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

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