revival

American  

[ri-vahy-vuhl] / rɪˈvaɪ vəl /

noun

1. restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc.

2. restoration to use, acceptance, or currency.

   the revival of old customs.

3. a new production of an old play.

4. a showing of an old motion picture.

5. an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion.

6. an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting a religious awakening.

   to hold a revival.

7. the act of reviving.

8. the state of being revived.

9. Law. the reestablishment of legal force and effect.

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revival British  

/ rɪˈvaɪvəl /

noun

1. the act or an instance of reviving or the state of being revived

2. an instance of returning to life or consciousness; restoration of vigour or vitality

3. a renewed use, acceptance of, or interest in (past customs, styles, etc)

   a revival of learning

   the Gothic revival

4. a new production of a play that has not been recently performed

5. a reawakening of faith or renewal of commitment to religion

6. an evangelistic meeting or service intended to effect such a reawakening in those present

7. the re-establishment of legal validity, as of a judgment, contract, etc

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revival Cultural  

1. In Christianity, an energetic meeting intended to “revive” religious faith. Common among fundamentalists, these meetings are characterized by impassioned preaching and singing.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prerevival
  noun
• nonrevival
  noun

Etymology

Origin of revival

First recorded in 1645–55; revive + -al ²

Explanation

If something experiences a revival, that means it’s once again popular or important. If a news story mentions a revival in the technology industry, that means the industry, having gone through a slump, is once again thriving. Revival literally means "come back to life." An ER doctor might perform a revival of someone whose heart has stopped. We usually use it to mean "returned to glory, importance, or strength." Fresh paint and new flowerbeds might mean your neighborhood is experiencing a revival. If you don't like spiky hair, you may cringe at the revival of the mohawk in fashion magazines. Revival has a religious sense too, referring to a meeting that reawakens religious excitement and passion.

Example Sentences

They included best revival of a play as well as the lead actress prize for Metcalf, a Bafta and Oscar-nominated actress known for Roseanne and Lady Bird.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

And when “Salesman” won for best revival, it was only fitting that Lane accepted the award on behalf of the company about a play that, ultimately, he pointed out, is about a family.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Pundits framed his campaign as a blueprint for Republican revival in urban America.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

What’s Next: Supporters of coal’s revival say it’s about meeting demand for electricity and energy security through domestic resources.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

And she took it away again, immediately afterward, so that it would be no less splendid on the Sunday of the great dinner that was officially to punctuate the revival.

From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin

Related Words

• recovery
• rejuvenation
• renaissance
• renewal
• restoration
• resurgence
• resurrection
• revitalization