awakening

noun

awak·​en·​ing ə-ˈwāk-niŋ 

ə-ˈwā-kə-

plural awakenings

1

: a rousing from sleep

The night terror is an abrupt awakening early in the night, most often within the first hour or two of sleep …

—Franklin Galvin et al.

2

a

: a rousing from inactivity or indifference

… one of the primary branches of yoga … prescribes various practices to assist the yogi in the gradual awakening of the heart.

—James Bailey

b

: a revival of interest in something (such as religion)

Russian Jews themselves experienced a cultural and political awakening after Israel's victory, some openly challenging their government's ban on religious and Hebrew training.

—Jonathan D. Sarna

3

: a coming into awareness

Like his discovery of literature, this intimacy becomes an awakening to the possibilities of life.

—Morris Dickstein

Examples of awakening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unfortunately for Ellen, Orlok answers the call, awakening from his long slumber to track her down. —Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024

That was really an experience that was very awakening for me. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 7 Dec. 2024

Free Daily and Monthly Horoscopes Read the full Capricorn Daily Horoscope Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Experiencing a spiritual awakening? —USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024

Instead, a complete spiritual awakening swept over the over 4,000 attending the Opry. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing awakening

• rude awakening