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 Simple Life is part of the aughts’ unlikely renaissance. —Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024

From Winter to Renaissance: The Great Transformation From Winter to Renaissance: The Great Transformation The brutal crypto winter of 2022-2023 has given way to an extraordinary renaissance in digital assets. —Roomy Khan, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Having since lost 20 years to Harry Potter, Lego movies, and James Bond, the 61-year-old may well be positioning himself for a Jonathan Pryce-style seventh-decade renaissance. —Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

The Yacht Rock renaissance has breathed new life into the embers of a goofy and louche, but somehow innocent, time in American pop history, when songs were mainly about seduction and breakups. —Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 27 Nov. 2024

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

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)