regenerate

American  

[ri-jen-uh-reyt, ri-jen-er-it] / rɪˈdʒɛn əˌreɪt, rɪˈdʒɛn ər ɪt /

verb (used with object)

regenerates, present (3rd person singular) regenerated, past participle, past regenerating present participle

1. to effect a complete moral reform in.

   Synonyms:

   uplift, redeem, reform

2. to re-create, reconstitute, or make over, especially in a better form or condition.

3. to revive or produce anew; bring into existence again.

4. Biology. to renew or restore (a lost, removed, or injured part).

5. Physics. to restore (a substance) to a favorable state or physical condition.

6. Electronics. to magnify the amplification of, by relaying part of the output circuit power into the input circuit.

7. Theology. to cause to be born again spiritually.

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verb (used without object)

regenerates, present (3rd person singular) regenerated, past participle, past regenerating present participle

1. to come into existence or be formed again.

2. to reform; become regenerate.

3. to produce a regenerative effect.

4. to undergo regeneration.

adjective

1. reconstituted or made over in a better form.

2. reformed.

3. Theology. born again spiritually.

regenerate British  

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo moral, spiritual, or physical renewal or invigoration

2. to form or be formed again; come or bring into existence once again

3. to replace (lost or damaged tissues or organs) by new growth, or to cause (such tissues) to be replaced

4. chem to restore or be restored to an original physical or chemical state

5. (tr) electronics (in a digital system) to reshape (distorted incoming pulses) for onward transmission

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adjective

1. morally, spiritually, or physically renewed or reborn; restored or refreshed

Usage

What does regenerate mean? Regenerate means to renew or restore something, especially after it has been damaged or lost. The act or process of regenerating is regeneration. Both terms are commonly used in the context of biology to refer to the regrowth of part of an organism or environment. In this sense, a close synonym is regrow. In animals, tissue, organs, or other body parts that have been injured or lost are sometimes regenerated. In some animals, regeneration happens on an even greater scale, with some being able to regrow an entire limb or tail. Environments that have been damaged or destroyed, like forests or grasslands damaged by fire, can also regenerate. Regenerate can also be used in other specific ways. In the context of religion, regenerate can mean to be spiritually reborn. In chemistry, to regenerate is to restore or be restored to an original physical or chemical state. In audio electronics, regenerate means to increase amplification through a kind of feedback process. Much less commonly, regenerate can be used as an adjective meaning restored, renewed, reborn, or morally reformed. Example: It is hoped that the experimental treatment will reduce healing time by helping tissue to regenerate more quickly.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unregenerating
  adjective
• regeneracy
  noun
• nonregenerate
  adjective
• regenerative
  adjective
• regenerateness
  noun
• regeneratively
  adverb
• unregenerable
  adjective
• regenerator
  noun
• regenerable
  adjective
• nonregenerating
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has regenerated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have regenerated
  perfect
• is regenerating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been regenerating
  perfect progressive
• are regenerating
  progressive
• am regenerating
  progressive 1st person singular
• regenerates
  singular 3rd person
• regenerating
  participle
• has been regenerating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had regenerated
  perfect
• was regenerating
  progressive singular
• had been regenerating
  perfect progressive
• were regenerating
  progressive plural
• regenerated
  participle
• regenerated
  simple

Future

• will regenerate
  simple
• will have regenerated
  perfect
• will have been regenerating
  perfect progressive
• will be regenerating
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of regenerate

1425–75; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin regenerātus, past participle of regenerāre to bring forth again, equivalent to re- re- + generātus; see generate

Explanation

Starfish are famous for their ability to regenerate, or regrow, a lost arm. Anything that revives in this magical way can be said to regenerate. While the verb regenerate can literally mean "produce anew," it can also describe what happens when something is fixed up, made "like new." An argument that's often made for bringing a new company, sports complex, casino, or other enterprise to a depressed area is that it will regenerate the town economically, bringing it back to life. In Latin, regeneratio means "being born again."

Example Sentences

To cushion against a future cutback in defense spending, the U.K. government has allocated the equivalent of about $268 million to Team Barrow, a private-public partnership with BAE, to regenerate Barrow and diversify its economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

At Duke and the University of Colorado Boulder, researchers are developing injectable therapies that regenerate joint tissue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

"We're not going on fancy yachts and driving expensive cars. We are doing it so we can regenerate our areas that we're in, employ more people."

From BBC • May 29, 2026

They regained the ability to regenerate effectively, produce balanced blood and immune cells, and generate additional healthy stem cells.

From Science Daily • May 12, 2026

I’m dead, struck out of the round until I can regenerate.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• invigorate
• reconstruct
• recreate
• reestablish
• reinvigorate
• rejuvenate
• reproduce