revive

verb

re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving

intransitive verb

: to return to consciousness or life : become active or flourishing again

transitive verb

1
: to restore to consciousness or life
2
: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state : bring back
3
: to renew in the mind or memory
revivable adjective
reviver noun

Examples of revive in a Sentence

The success of the movie has revived her career. The government is trying to revive the economy. Our spirits were revived by his enthusiasm. The store's business is beginning to revive. The family is trying to revive an old custom. He has decided to revive Molière's Tartuffe.
Recent Examples on the Web Here are five things to know about the effort to revive supersonic travel. Monica Rodman, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 The creative challenge of this show is in not just reviving, but emulating and honoring a show that was made 30 years ago. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 The Davidson is just one more piece of a puzzle the restaurant’s landlord, the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., is trying to solve with its $51 million effort to revive this part of Downtown in and around Fountain Square. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 15 Mar. 2024 But, rumors began swirling late last year that the Duchess was looking to revive her old lifestyle blog, The Tig. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2024 The current version of the American Climate Corps is in many ways a compromise of Biden’s initial plans to revive that program and update it for the problems of the 21st century. Naveena Sadasivam & Kate Yoder / Grist, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 First responders were not able to revive the infant, and the infant died, police said. Bradford Betz, Fox News, 11 Mar. 2024 How to revive the free spirit of that frontier past? Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 The show will revive a presentation tactic last used 15 years ago in which five former winners in each of the four acting categories will individually pay tribute to this year’s nominees and then award this year’s winners, in effect welcoming them to the club. Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'revive.' 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, from Anglo-French revivre, from Latin revivere to live again, from re- + vivere to live — more at quick entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of revive was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near revive

Cite this Entry

“Revive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

revive

verb
re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving
1
: to make (someone or something) strong, active, or healthy again
2
: to bring back into use or popularity
trying to revive an old custom
reviver noun

Medical Definition

revive

verb
re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving

intransitive verb

: to return to consciousness or life

transitive verb

1
: to restore to consciousness or life
2
: to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state
revivable adjective

Legal Definition

revive

transitive verb
re·​vive ri-ˈvīv How to pronounce revive (audio)
revived; reviving
: to restore the force, effect, or validity of (as a contract, will, or action)

More from Merriam-Webster on revive

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