revival

noun

re·​viv·​al ri-ˈvī-vəl 

1

: an act or instance of reviving : the state of being revived: such as

a

: renewed attention to or interest in something

b

: a new presentation or publication of something old

c(1)

: a period of renewed religious interest

(2)

: an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings

2

: restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract)

Synonyms of revival

• resurgence
• rebirth
• renewal

Examples of revival in a Sentence

a revival of biographical writing

a revival in Gothic architecture

Fashions from the 1970s are enjoying a revival.

The city is showing signs of revival.

There are three musical revivals on Broadway this season.

The opera company is staging a revival of Verdi's Don Carlos.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rare is the Broadway season that hasn’t been bettered by an August Wilson revival, and this very busy spring is no exception. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026

Could now—a quarter-century after Carrie’s afternoon snack—be the right time for a cupcake revival? —Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026

Now in its 17th year, the Hall’s Films in Concert series has built a catalogue spanning silent-era revivals through to contemporary blockbusters, with the LSO, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Chineke! —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

Monthly madness Perhaps recent price slippage – and cheaper loans – will spur a condo buying revival. —Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing revival

• revival meeting

Rhymes for revival

• archival
• arrival
• survival
• conjunctival
• rival
• subconjunctival

Kids Definition

revival

noun

re·​viv·​al ri-ˈvī-vəl 

1

: a reviving of interest (as in art, literature, or religion)

2

: a new presentation or publication (as of a book, play, or movie)

3

: a new growth or increase

a revival of business

4

: a meeting or series of meetings conducted by a preacher to arouse religious emotions or to make converts

Legal Definition

revival

noun

re·​vi·​val ri-ˈvī-vəl 

: an act or instance of reviving