resurrection

American  

[rez-uh-rek-shuhn] / ˌrɛz əˈrɛk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of rising from the dead.

2. Christianity. Resurrection, the rising of Christ after His death and burial.

3. Religion. Resurrection, the rising of the dead on Judgment Day.

4. the state of those risen from the dead.

5. a rising again, as from decay, disuse, etc.; revival.

6. Christian Science. a rising above mortality through the understanding of spiritual life as demonstrated by Jesus Christ.

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resurrection ¹ British  

/ ˌrɛzəˈrɛkʃən /

noun

1. a supposed act or instance of a dead person coming back to life

2. belief in the possibility of this as part of a religious or mystical system

3. the condition of those who have risen from the dead

   we shall all live in the resurrection

4. the revival of something

   a resurrection of an old story

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Resurrection ² British  

/ ˌrɛzəˈrɛkʃən /

noun

1. the rising again of Christ from the tomb three days after his death

2. the rising again from the dead of all mankind at the Last Judgment

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Resurrection Cultural  

1. The rising of Jesus from the tomb after his death; a central and distinctive belief of the Christian faith. The Gospels state that after Jesus was crucified and lay in a tomb between Friday evening and Sunday morning, he rose, in body as well as in spirit, and appeared alive to his followers. His resurrection is the basis for the Christian belief that not only Jesus but all Christians will triumph over death. Christians celebrate the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

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Other Word Forms

• nonresurrection noun
• nonresurrectional adjective
• postresurrection noun
• postresurrectional adjective
• resurrectional adjective
• resurrective adjective

Etymology

Origin of resurrection

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin resurrēctiōn-, stem of resurrēctiō, the Easter church festival, from resurrēct(us) “risen again” (past participle of resurgere “to rise again”; see resurge ( def. )) + -iō -ion ( def. )

Explanation

Resurrection describes something that has been brought back to life — literally or figuratively. A zombie resurrection may occur in that scary movie you're watching, or a fashion designer may bring about the resurrection of the a-line skirt. First used in the 13th century, the noun resurrection comes from the Latin word resurgere, meaning "rise again." It can refer literally to a rising from the dead, but you're more likely to hear the word describe something that's figuratively brought back to life — meaning, it's been revived after a time of inactivity or decline. If a pitcher who has been in a slump throws a perfect game, that could be considered a resurrection of his baseball career.

Example Sentences

What makes Christianity work, and always has, is the gathering together of the faithful to worship in song and in recitation of ancient creeds affirming creation, sin, salvation, and the death and resurrection of Christ.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

Easter, the principal holiday of the Christian church, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

"In the resurrection scene, it is women who come to tend the body of Jesus," said Fr Gormley.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Through Spear’s resurrection, “Primal” is quietly delivering a zombie drama that’s strangely life-affirming, led by a tenderhearted brute who is sensitive to the other voiceless, helpless beings around him.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

In his resurrection he was the embodiment of the life that is stronger than death.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

• reappearance
• rebirth
• restoration
• resurgence
• revival