renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˈre-nə-ˌsän(t)s  -ˌzän(t)s 

-ˌsäⁿs, 

-ˌzäⁿs;

ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s 

-ˈzän(t)s, 

-ˈsäⁿs, 

-ˈzäⁿs

chiefly British ri-ˈnā-sᵊn(t)s

often attributive

1

Renaissance

a

: the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science

b

: the period of the Renaissance

c

: the neoclassical style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance

2

often Renaissance : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity

3

: rebirth, revival

Synonyms of renaissance

• millennium
• golden age
• zenith
• pinnacle

Examples of renaissance in a Sentence

a book on the Renaissance

the 19th-century literary renaissance that prompted people to refer to Boston as the Athens of America

Recent Examples on the Web

Bellamy continued his own singles renaissance, claiming the bronze to keep pace in the race to the Tour Finals. —Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Snead is a scouting and player personnel lifer but also something of a renaissance man. —Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Niles mayor George Alpogianis promises the renaissance of Niles will continue in 2026, as the village works closely with Golf Mill mall redevelopers, reimagines the property surrounding the Leaning Tower YMCA and ushers in new residential and retail developments. —Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

And will the Patriots continue to dial up their own biitz pressure as their defense enjoys a late renaissance? —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, rebirth, from Old French renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for renaissance

• esperance
• nonchalance
• nonresponse
• bons
• hans
• launce
• nonce
• sconce
• naissance
• response

Kids Definition

renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˌren-ə-ˈsän(t)s  -ˈzän(t)s 

1

capitalized : the period of European history between the 14th and 17th centuries marked by a flourishing of art and literature inspired by ancient times and by the beginnings of modern science

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of great activity (as in literature, science, and the arts)