resurrection
noun
Did you know?
The word resurrection first arose in English in the 14th century, coming from the Anglo-French word resurreccioun, which in turn comes from the Late Latin verb resurgere, meaning “to rise from the dead.” 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). Perhaps showing the influence of the Late Latin verb resurgere’s Latin forerunner, which could mean “to rise again” (as from a recumbent position) as well as “to spring up again after being cut” (used of plants), resurrection soon began to be used more generally in the senses of “resurgence” or “revival.” It even forms part of the name of the resurrection fern, an iconic fern of the southern United States often seen growing on the limbs of live oak trees. The fern is so named due to the fact that in dry weather it curls up, turns brown, and appears dead, only to be “brought back to life” when exposed to moisture.
Examples of resurrection in a Sentence
ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
As the church prepares to celebrate Christ’s resurrection on Easter, its members hope for renewal and liberation of their homeland as the fate of its governance hangs in the balance.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
Resurrection and reconstruction, in readers’ eyes.
—Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Indeed, according to the 2025 National Survey of Religious Leaders, only 65% of current mainline pastors believe in something as fundamental to the Christian faith as the bodily resurrection of Christ.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for resurrection
Cite this Entry
“Resurrection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resurrection. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
resurrection
noun
