respawn

American  

[ree-spawn] / riˈspɔn /

verb (used without object)

1. (of a character or item in a video game) to reenter an existing game environment at a fixed point after having been defeated or otherwise removed from play.

   If another player character has already opened the treasure chest, you will have to wait a few minutes for the chest to respawn.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to the respawning of a character or item in a video game: respawn animations.

   the respawn rate;

   respawn animations.

Etymology

Origin of respawn

First recorded in 1990–95; re- + spawn

Example Sentences

The company last year sought input from users of gaming company Razer’s products to develop Respawn, a sugar-free line of gums and mints aimed at gamers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

A statement by Respawn, posted on the "Battlefield" X account, praised Zampella "for how he showed up every day, trusting his teams, encouraging bold ideas, and believing in Battlefield and the people building it."

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

A representative for Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn, confirmed Zampella’s death Monday in a statement shared with The Times.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

Zampella's death was confirmed by Electronic Arts, which owns Respawn Entertainment, a game studio he co-founded.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

Though West departed Respawn in 2013 due to unspecified family issues, Zampella remained head of the studio, overseeing the creation of titles including “Titanfall,” “Apex Legends” and “Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025