renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˈre-nə-ˌsän(t)s  -ˌzän(t)s 

-ˌsäⁿs,

-ˌzäⁿs;

ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s 

-ˈzän(t)s,

-ˈsäⁿs,

-ˈzäⁿs,

 chiefly British  ri-ˈnā-sᵊn(t)s

often attributive

1

capitalized

a

: the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science

b

: the period of the Renaissance

c

: the neoclassical style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity

3

: rebirth, revival

Synonyms

• belle epoque
• belle époque
• golden age

Examples of renaissance in a Sentence

a book on the Renaissance

the 19th-century literary renaissance that prompted people to refer to Boston as the Athens of America

Recent Examples on the Web

Three Questions Is this a Western Slope renaissance? —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2024

The company, which is in the midst of a renaissance with investor Lawrence Stroll at the helm, has brought to market out a series of new and refreshed vehicles over the last 18 months that show that the hard work the folks in Gaydon, England have been putting in over the last half-decade. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

By Patrick George Representative Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat in a tight race for a Senate seat, has been on the defensive about a manufacturing renaissance happening in her own backyard. —Patrick George, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024

How Falling for Christmas could ignite the Lindsay Lohan renaissance Earlier this year, Fey (Ms. Norbury) and Meadows reprised their roles in Paramount's musical remake, while Lohan also made a cameo near the end of the film as a moderator of a mathletes tournament. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, rebirth, from Old French renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˌren-ə-ˈsän(t)s  -ˈzän(t)s 

1

capitalized : the period of European history between the 14th and 17th centuries marked by a flourishing of art and literature inspired by ancient times and by the beginnings of modern science

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of great activity (as in literature, science, and the arts)