renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˈre-nə-ˌsän(t)s How to pronounce renaissance (audio) -ˌzän(t)s How to pronounce renaissance (audio)
-ˌsäⁿs,
-ˌzäⁿs;
ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s How to pronounce renaissance (audio)
-ˈzän(t)s,
-ˈsäⁿs,
-ˈzäⁿs,
 chiefly British  ri-ˈnā-sᵊn(t)s
often attributive
1
capitalized
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 capitalized : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity
3

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 Kandi Burruss is in the midst of another career renaissance. Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2024 The Mexican regional genre is massive now, reminiscent of reggaetón in 2019 when there was a massive renaissance. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2024 Taiwanese companies are enjoying something of a renaissance as a source of Chinese-language productions for the Asian region at a time when many mainland China and Hong Kong firms are taking another direction and international streamers are unable to operate in the mainland. Patrick Frater, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024 This clean energy manufacturing renaissance will ultimately support more than 100,000 new manufacturing jobs nationwide. Ray Long, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for renaissance 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'renaissance.' 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

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

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of renaissance was in 1837

Dictionary Entries Near renaissance

Cite this Entry

“Renaissance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renaissance. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

renaissance

noun
re·​nais·​sance ˌren-ə-ˈsän(t)s How to pronounce renaissance (audio) -ˈzän(t)s How to pronounce renaissance (audio)
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)

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