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

The Surrender Director/Screenwriter: Julia Max, Producers: Mia Chang, Lovell Holder, Julia Max, Ian McDonald, Robert J. Ulrich When the family patriarch dies, a grieving mother and daughter risk their lives to perform a brutal resurrection ritual that will bring him back from the dead. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025

What remains to be seen is whether the politicians in charge want to grasp the nettles in peace or choose instead to continue gambling for resurrection on the battlefield. —Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025

Kane was one of the last pieces of a franchise resurrection. —Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025

All users will then hope for an equally instant, Trumpian resurrection next week when the new president takes office. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

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