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

Example Sentences

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Maud is a garden historian — someone who revives the grounds of historically significant sites in strictest possible keeping with their original plantings and designs. Joan Frank, Washington Post, 1 June 2023 Meanwhile, the Senate revived a suite of power grid proposals by tying them to a bill that continues the operations at the state’s power grid operator ERCOT and the grid’s regulator, the Public Utility Commission. Philip Jankowski, Dallas News, 28 May 2023 But sometimes the simple traditions of the past can stand to be revived. Judy Berlfein, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2023 Its active ingredient bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate aims to repair broken disulfide bonds to revive the look and feel of hair. Jacqueline Saguin, goodhousekeeping.com, 26 May 2023 This stop-start is among the smoothest on the market, reviving the gas engine with nary a shudder. Andrew Krok, Car and Driver, 18 May 2023 Winners receive £1 million ($1.2 million) and support to scale their solutions, focused on reviving and repairing the land, air or sea, to size. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 15 May 2023 Biden later revived the deals to win West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin’s support for last year’s climate law. Matthew Brown, BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2023 The special episodes will celebrate the anniversary of the show, which was created in 1963 and then revived in 2005, with Tennant, who previously starred in Doctor Who for five years, coming back to TARDIS as the time lord. Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2023 See More

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 6 Jun. 2023.

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)

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