regenerate

[ verb ri-jen-uh-reyt; adjective ri-jen-er-it ]

verb (used with object)

, re·gen·er·at·ed, re·gen·er·at·ing.

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.

verb (used without object)

, re·gen·er·at·ed, re·gen·er·at·ing.

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

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

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• reˈgenerˌator, noun
• reˈgenerable, adjective
• reˈgeneracy, noun
• reˈgeneratively, adverb
• reˈgenerative, adjective

Other Words From

• re·gener·a·ble adjective
• re·gener·ate·ness noun
• nonre·gener·ate adjective
• nonre·gener·ating adjective
• unre·gener·a·ble adjective
• unre·gener·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of regenerate¹

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

Example Sentences

The email said users who may have used a shared computer should regenerate their app keys and tokens.

From TechCrunch

In theory, Fue was told, it is not possible to regenerate a functional neuron or rebuild a neuronal circuit.

From Nautilus

At Puvidham — “love for land” in Tamil — a school in a drought-hit district of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, children are trained to grow their own food and help regenerate neighboring forest land.

From Ozy

This semi-chronic treatment provides time for the brains of the aged mice to regenerate.

From Singularity Hub 

Previous studies have found that fat-derived stem cells can help tissues regenerate.

From Singularity Hub 

That class of people has the natural tendency to regenerate according to Bellow.

From The Daily Beast

They can be disrupted and dismantled and yet fully regenerate once the pressure subsides.

From The Daily Beast

It began to regenerate as soon as American forces left Iraq.

From The Daily Beast

And the baddies, who light up, regenerate body parts, and occasionally overheat and explode, are pretty silly.

From The Daily Beast

That kind of browsing was a purely visual experience that usually cleared my mind, allowing it to regenerate.

From The Daily Beast

Before the summer of 1807 closed, everything was ripe for Napoleon's contemplated intervention to "regenerate" Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

"You say you're regenerated—go ahead and regenerate the church," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

Three generations of good government would scarcely regenerate them.

From Project Gutenberg

The utilization of her ability is all that is needed to regenerate city life.

From Project Gutenberg

That young Polynesian chief had in him the secret to regenerate a world which has only a self-complacent smile for his faith.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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

More About Regenerate

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.

Where does regenerate come from?

The first records of the word regenerate come from the 1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb regenerāre, meaning “to bring forth again.” The prefix re- means “again” and generate means “to produce or bring into existence.”

In the natural world, plants and animals regenerate in many different ways. Some plants can regrow from a single part—such as when you plant a chunk of carrot or potato and it sprouts again. Some simple organisms, like the hydra, can regenerate even after being torn apart. In humans, hair and skin are always regenerating, but even some organs are able to regenerate, such as the liver and the lungs.

The more figurative uses of regenerate often liken the regrowth of something—such as a city or community—to the regrowth of a body part.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to regenerate?

• regeneration (noun)
• regenerative (adjective)
• regeneratively (adverb)
• regenerable (adjective)
• regeneracy (noun)

What are some synonyms for regenerate?

• regrow
• renew
• restore

What are some words that share a root or word element with regenerate? 

• generation
• generate

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing regenerate?

• tissue
• organ
• body
• part
• limb
• grow
• rebirth

How is regenerate used in real life?

Regenerate can be used in many different contexts, but it’s most commonly used in biology.

Lucas Sanor & Parker Flowers at @Yale managed to track 25 Axolotl #genes possibly involved in limb #regeneration, implying "humans possess similar genes, scientists may one day discover how to activate them to help speed wound repair or regenerate tissue." https://t.co/diDceYXJdD

— Supertrends App (@SupertrendsApp) July 19, 2020

Fresh pictures from our trees in Pontal, #Brazil! 🌳😍
We're on track to plant 700,000 trees here and to help to naturally regenerate another 350,000. These trees will restore #forest corridors and connect two vital parts of the #AtlanticForest in #SãoPaulo state. 🦜🐒 pic.twitter.com/3NUYMR7xQz

— Ecosia (@Ecosia) July 15, 2020

Important new research has been published in @nature today showing that lungs can regenerate and heal the damage caused by smoking once you stop for good.🚭
Read it here: https://t.co/ZeZozZdb7b https://t.co/RenqnPu00a

— Public Health England (@PHE_uk) January 30, 2020

 

 

Try using regenerate!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym for regenerate? 

A. regrow
B. reduce
C. restore
D. renew