revival

American  

[ri-vahy-vuhl] / rɪˈvaɪ vəl /

noun

revivals plural

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

• nonrevival
  noun
• prerevival
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• revivals
  plural

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

Appeared in the July 2, 2026, print edition as 'Negotiations Lift Dubai’s Hopes Of Postwar Revival'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026

He is a billionaire who loves gold, an American who loves McDonald’s, a white guy who loves Creedence Clearwater Revival, a baby boomer who’s got beef with low-flow toilets.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

"Ragtime," which explores the social and economic upheavals affecting non-white people in early 20th century America, received four awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Her new love interest was the head pastor of Global Light Revival Church.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

It would have been a perfect opportunity for a lesson on the relationship between neoclassical and Greek Revival styles of architecture; alas, there was no time.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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