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

But when looking at the prospective season as a whole, the studio ultimately felt the revival effort wasn’t working and ruled against a pilot reshoot and series order. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026

Sporty jackets, argyle sweaters, and pleated midiskirts were key to last season’s modern prep revival. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2026

Most recently, Foster starred as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress during its acclaimed Broadway revival at the Hudson Theatre. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026

Sources say, though, that Hulu is still hopeful that a new creative team can revive the revival sometime in the future. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 18 Mar. 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