What does reignition mean?
Reignition is a formal noun meaning the act of relighting something that has gone out or restarting a process that has stopped. Its most characteristic use is technical: an engine, burner, or combustion system may experience reignition after shutting down, stalling, or otherwise ceasing to operate. The word can also describe figurative revival, such as the reignition of a debate, a movement, or a stalled career. This broader sense conveys renewed activity after an interruption rather than a simple continuation. Reignition is more specialized than restart and often evokes a second attempt or renewed operation. It is therefore particularly useful in engineering, transport, and energy contexts. Although re-ignition is sometimes used, reignition is the standard closed form. Because it identifies not merely any revival but the renewed firing or restarting of something already known to have stopped, the word conveys both precision and a modest suggestion of a second chance.
nounThe act of relighting something that has become extinguished, or of restarting a process that has stopped. It is especially used for the renewed firing of an engine, burner, or combustion chamber.
- The relighting of a fire, flame, engine, or similar system after it has ceased burning or operating.
- The revival of an activity, process, movement, or discussion after it has stopped or declined.
"The system delayed reignition until the engine had cooled sufficiently."
"Engine reignition is essential when the aircraft must continue flying after one engine has shut down."
"The ceremony was widely regarded as the reignition of interest in traditional folk music."
The standard plural, though it is less common than the singular because the word usually refers to a single process or event.
"The engineers documented several unsuccessful reignitions during testing."
An extinguished flame or stopped engine can get a second life through reignition.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reignition come from?
Reignition is an English formation combining the prefix re- with ignite, expressing the act of igniting again. Ignite entered English from Latin ignitare, a verb derived from ignis, meaning fire. Related English words such as ignition and ignitable preserve the same Latin fire-based root.
How reignition is actually used
Reignition is more specialized than restart and is particularly common in technical contexts involving combustion. In figurative use, it suggests renewed activity or interest after a clear interruption. The closed form reignition is standard, although re-ignition is also encountered.