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

Today, satellite images from NASA, reveal forests and farmland giving way to neighborhoods, roads, and industrial zones, documenting a dramatic revival that blends centuries-old cultural heritage with 21st-century urban growth. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025

The new Buzz is a sort of modern revival of what people imagine the Bus was like, not what the Bus was really like. —New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025

The revival won Tony Awards for musical revival and for its stars Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2025

The first shoot occurred the day after the 2024 Tony Awards where Groff and Radcliffe took home awards and the play won best revival. —Jenelle Riley, Variety, 6 Dec. 2025

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