renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˈre-nə-ˌsän(t)s  -ˌzän(t)s 

-ˌsäⁿs,

-ˌzäⁿs;

ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s 

-ˈzän(t)s,

-ˈsäⁿs,

-ˈzäⁿs,

 chiefly British  ri-ˈnā-sᵊn(t)s

often attributive

1

capitalized

a

: the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science

b

: the period of the Renaissance

c

: the neoclassical style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity

3

: rebirth, revival

Synonyms

• belle epoque
• belle époque
• golden age

Examples of renaissance in a Sentence

a book on the Renaissance

the 19th-century literary renaissance that prompted people to refer to Boston as the Athens of America

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dover sole, a pricey fish that seems to be experiencing a renaissance in New York’s more high-end dining rooms, arrives traditionally dressed in capers and béarnaise, the body de-finned and de-tailed, but otherwise intact. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025

All told, this plan includes upwards of $1.3 billion in community benefits to jumpstart a Red Hook renaissance. —Dan Goldman, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2025

San Francisco is undergoing a quiet renaissance in the aftermath of Covid. —Jennifer Lee, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025

After years of skinny jeans and wide-leg cuts taking over the market, the bootcut is having a renaissance, thanks partly to Kendrick Lamar wearing a pair during the halftime of Super Bowl LIX. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, rebirth, from Old French renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born — more at nation

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for renaissance

• esperance
• nonchalance
• nonresponse
• bons
• hans
• launce
• nonce
• sconce
• naissance
• response

Kids Definition

renaissance

noun

re·​nais·​sance ˌren-ə-ˈsän(t)s  -ˈzän(t)s 

1

capitalized : the period of European history between the 14th and 17th centuries marked by a flourishing of art and literature inspired by ancient times and by the beginnings of modern science

2

often capitalized : a movement or period of great activity (as in literature, science, and the arts)