resurrection

noun

res·​ur·​rec·​tion ˌre-zə-ˈrek-shən 

1

a

capitalized : the rising of Christ from the dead

b

often capitalized : the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment

c

: the state of one risen from the dead

2

: resurgence, revival

3

Christian Science : a spiritualization of thought : material belief that yields to spiritual understanding

resurrectional

ˌre-zə-ˈrek-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Did you know?

Resurrection comes from Anglo-French resurreccioun. Originally, the word was used in Christian contexts to refer to the rising of Christ from the dead or to the festival celebrating this rising (now known as Easter). The word eventually began to be used more generally in the senses of "resurgence" or "revival." Its Latin root, surgere, means "to rise."

Synonyms

• reanimation
• rebirth
• regeneration
• rejuvenation
• rejuvenescence
• renewal
• resurgence
• resuscitation
• revitalization
• revival
• revivification

Examples of resurrection in a Sentence

He was enjoying the resurrection of his career.

a resurrection of an old theory

Recent Examples on the Web

Anne Edwards, 96, was a biographer of Hollywood and world figures; and horror historian David J. Skal, 71, explored the literary and film resurrections of Dracula. —David Colton, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024

While this is a peaceful death for solo stars like the sun, many stars have binary partners that can grant them at least a temporary resurrection. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024

But through all that time away, plans were cooking for a resurrection. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2024

Here, the broad themes are resurrection, mental illness, mass murder and religious devotion. —Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English resurreccioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin resurrection-, resurrectio act of rising from the dead, from resurgere to rise from the dead, from Latin, to rise again, from re- + surgere to rise — more at surge

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing resurrection

• post-resurrection
• the resurrection

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Kids Definition

resurrection

noun

res·​ur·​rec·​tion ˌrez-ə-ˈrek-shən 

1

a

capitalized : the rising of Jesus from the dead

b

often capitalized : the rising again to life of all the human dead before the final judgment

2

: resurgence, revival

resurrectional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective