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

This could be a powerful time of emotional release or perhaps discovering something that shifts your perspective — maybe even a spiritual awakening. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Somewhere up there in Hoops Heaven, Stormin’ Norman Sloan is one giddy Gator who is almost certainly feeling validated and vindicated about the SEC’s basketball awakening. —Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025

Many of Musk’s DOGE firings, canceled grants and contracts, etc., are in the subjunctive mood, pending Congress’s awakening from its hibernation. —George Will, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2025

As Season 3 wrapped, Bela (Amrit Kaur) had a bisexual awakening, Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) faced legal action from Essex College, Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) had successfully unionized against the university and Kacey found her voice as the lead of a play. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing awakening

• rude awakening

Rhymes for awakening

• reawakening
• wakening