revival

noun

re·​viv·​al ri-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce revival (audio)
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)

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The show starred Bob Saget, John Stamos, Lori Loughlin, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure, Andrea Barber, Jodie Sweetin and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Bure, Sweetin and Barber, and other cast members of the original series, reprised their roles for the 2016 revival, Fuller House. Diana Pearl, People.com, 23 May 2025 Landau was right: The films and the TV show (both its ’60s incarnation and its 1988 revival, which isn’t streaming) are different beasts. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 23 May 2025 Its recent reinvention as a space for an art fair symbolizes a powerful revival—bridging Cyprus’s industrial heritage with its growing cultural and artistic landscape. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025 The production marks the first revival of the play, written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, which follows three longtime friends who launch into a debate about art after one of them purchases a large, expensive and completely white painting. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for revival

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of revival was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Revival.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revival. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

revival

noun
re·​viv·​al ri-ˈvī-vəl How to pronounce revival (audio)
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 How to pronounce revival (audio)
: an act or instance of reviving

More from Merriam-Webster on revival

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!