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

The New York Film Festival has unveiled its lineup of revivals, films that that have been restored, preserved or digitally remastered, including 12 features and two programs of shorts. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

Reproductions are selling for up to $250 online, and the fixtures have become part of a larger vintage lighting revival that’s reshaping how people decorate their homes. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026

This is the fourth time the show, which won the Tony Award for best revival of a musical, has broken the box office record at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Much as Japan spearheaded the revival of bourbon in the ‘80s, the early single malts found a receptive audience in the Italian market in the ‘60s and ’70s. — Tony Sachs, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 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