regeneration

noun

re·​gen·​er·​a·​tion ri-ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shən 

ˌrē-

1

: an act or the process of regenerating : the state of being regenerated

2

: spiritual renewal or revival

3

: renewal or restoration of a body, bodily part, or biological system (such as a forest) after injury or as a normal process

4

: utilization by special devices of heat or other products that would ordinarily be lost

Synonyms

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

Examples of regeneration in a Sentence

the regeneration of knitting and crocheting is in full bloom, with Hollywood stars admitting they knit and crochet on movie sets

Recent Examples on the Web

Physically, during deep sleep, the body repairs tissues, balances hormones, and strengthens immune function, supporting cellular regeneration. —Pooja Shah, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025

However, over time, the resin beads fill with minerals, so the water softener goes through a regeneration cycle using sodium-rich water to restore the beads. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2025

Every now and then, a fresh Mickey slips out of the regeneration machine and tumbles slickly onto the floor like a fleshy alien. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2025

But as his oeuvre came to encompass corporate real estate and urban regeneration, his motivations still lay elsewhere. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for regeneration

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

regeneration

noun

re·​gen·​er·​a·​tion ri-ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən 

ˌrē-

: an act or the process of regenerating : the state of being regenerated

Medical Definition

regeneration

noun

re·​gen·​er·​a·​tion ri-ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən, ˌrē- 

1

: an act or the process of regenerating : the state of being regenerated

2

: the renewal, regrowth, or restoration of a body or a bodily part, tissue, or substance after injury or as a normal bodily process

continual regeneration of epithelial cells

regeneration of the uterine lining

compare regulation sense 2a