phoenix

noun

phoe·​nix ˈfē-niks 

: a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period

also : a person or thing likened to the phoenix

phoenixlike

ˈfē-niks-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of phoenix in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first step to liberate is to shout out what was to open space for what becomes tongues untied, our pet phoenix rising. —Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024

The rooster was fashioned to also resemble a phoenix to signify the cathedral’s rebirth. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024

The spire, which was destroyed in the blaze, has been rebuilt, with a new phoenix replacing the iconic golden rooster. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Dec. 2024

These signs recur throughout the annals of early Chinese history: unicorns; phoenixes; albino fish with red characters inscribed on their faces; dragons and turtles with mysterious inscriptions on their backs; iridescent earthworms; and more. —Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fenix, from Old English, from Latin phoenix, from Greek phoinix

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

phoenix

noun

phoe·​nix ˈfē-niks 

: a legendary bird which was thought to live for 500 years, burn itself to death, and then rise newborn from the ashes

Geographical Definition

Phoenix

geographical name

Phoe·​nix ˈfē-niks 

city on the Salt River in Arizona population 1,445,632

Note: Phoenix is Arizona's capital and its most populous city.

Phoenician

fē-ˈni-shən 

noun