revelation

noun

rev·​e·​la·​tion ˌre-və-ˈlā-shən 

1

a

: an act of revealing or communicating divine truth

b

: something that is revealed by God to humans

2

a

: an act of revealing to view or making known

b

: something that is revealed

especially : an enlightening or astonishing disclosure

shocking revelations

c

: a pleasant often enlightening surprise

her talent was a revelation

3

capitalized : an apocalyptic writing addressed to early Christians of Asia Minor and included as a book in the New Testament

called also Apocalypse

see Bible Table

Synonyms

• disclosure
• divulgence
• exposure

Examples of revelation in a Sentence

The book includes many shocking revelations about the mayor's personal life.

The revelation that she was a drug user was not a surprise to me.

Revelations by the newspaper caused a scandal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dennis Quaid says son Jack Quaid will 'eclipse' both him and mom Meg Ryan While his performance is one of gradual revelation, Thatcher’s is one of discovery. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 22 Jan. 2025

Tuesday’s lawsuit also sidesteps Rihanna’s later revelations that Brown hit her on numerous other occasions during their relationship. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025

The site has made national news on some of its stories, including the revelation that a man whose life sentence commuted by Trump in his first term was subsequently convicted of domestic violence. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 20 Jan. 2025

Expect revelations around your heart’s desires and authenticity within a relationship while others feel called to release a partnership that no longer serves you. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English revelacioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin revelation-, revelatio, from Latin revelare to reveal

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing revelation

• come as a revelation
• self-revelation

Kids Definition

revelation

1 of 2 noun

rev·​e·​la·​tion ˌrev-ə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an act of revealing or making known divine truth

2

a

: an act of revealing to view

b

: something that is revealed

especially : a surprising or astonishing disclosure

Revelation

2 of 2 noun

Rev·​e·​la·​tion

ˌrev-ə-ˈlā-shən

: a writing dealing with the end of the world addressed to early Christians of Asia Minor and included as a book in the New Testament see bible