regenerate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to effect a complete moral reform in.
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to re-create, reconstitute, or make over, especially in a better form or condition.
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to revive or produce anew; bring into existence again.
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Biology. to renew or restore (a lost, removed, or injured part).
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Physics. to restore (a substance) to a favorable state or physical condition.
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Electronics. to magnify the amplification of, by relaying part of the output circuit power into the input circuit.
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Theology. to cause to be born again spiritually.
verb (used without object)
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to come into existence or be formed again.
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to reform; become regenerate.
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to produce a regenerative effect.
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to undergo regeneration.
adjective
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reconstituted or made over in a better form.
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Theology. born again spiritually.
verb
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to undergo or cause to undergo moral, spiritual, or physical renewal or invigoration
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to form or be formed again; come or bring into existence once again
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to replace (lost or damaged tissues or organs) by new growth, or to cause (such tissues) to be replaced
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chem to restore or be restored to an original physical or chemical state
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(tr) electronics (in a digital system) to reshape (distorted incoming pulses) for onward transmission
adjective
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
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."
Vocabulary lists containing regenerate
This Week in Words: February 12 - 16, 2018
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for March 6–12, 2021
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World Without Fish
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The highest-grossing movie of the year worldwide is the videogame adaptation “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie,” where fans can be confident the the protagonists will just regenerate.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026
Human limbs cannot naturally regenerate the way salamander limbs do, but researchers believe future therapies could potentially imitate some of the biological mechanisms controlled by SP genes.
From Science Daily • May 9, 2026
“But I do believe in the inner light and I think that while Golding was writing about destruction, he was writing about our ability to regenerate as humans, which I think is a remarkable thing.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026
A councillor has raised the prospect of the ongoing Custom House Quay and Carlton Place project - which aims to regenerate the local waterfront - allowing river travel to be possible.
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
I need to make progress and I need to regenerate oxygen.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
