What does resurrection mean?
Resurrection is a noun meaning the act of returning to life after death, particularly when the return is understood as miraculous or divinely enabled. Its most familiar use is in the Christian belief and story of Jesus Christ's resurrection, but the word also has a broad figurative sense: the revival or restoration of something that has declined, disappeared, or seemed beyond recovery. People speak of the resurrection of a tradition, an industry, a career, or a public movement. In these contexts, the word conveys renewal, hope, and the possibility that something valuable can emerge again. The term derives from Latin and literally means “a rising again” or “coming forth again.” Although it is especially associated with religious language, modern speakers use it in secular journalism, cultural criticism, and business writing when they want to emphasize dramatic or significant recovery.
nounThe act of coming back to life after having died, especially in a miraculous or religious context. More broadly, it means the revival or restoration of something that had declined, disappeared, or been thought to be gone.
- The act of returning to life after death, especially through a miraculous event.
- The revival or restoration of a person, institution, practice, or idea after a period of decline or disappearance.
- The reappearance or renewed development of an issue, movement, trend, or way of life.
"The story describes the resurrection of the hero after his apparent death."
"The religious account of the resurrection has inspired countless works of art and music."
"The proposal was expected to bring about the resurrection of the struggling local industry."
Plural forms are used when referring to multiple acts of revival, multiple instances of restoration, or several separate beliefs or accounts concerning resurrection.
"The novel explores several resurrections of memory throughout the protagonist's life."
Resurrection literally means “rising again,” a fitting description for a word that has long represented both life restored and hope after apparent defeat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does resurrection come from?
The word comes through Old French from Latin resurrectio, a noun meaning “a rising again” or “restoration to life.” Latin resurrectio was formed from resurgere, meaning “to rise again,” using the prefix re- and the verb surgere, “to rise.” The same Latin foundation underlies words such as resurgence and resurgent, while surge also reflects the related root meaning “to rise” or “swell.”
Related word forms
How resurrection is actually used
The word is common in religious contexts and in formal or literary writing. In figurative use, it can sound elevated, dramatic, or occasionally hyperbolic, especially when describing the recovery of a business, career, or public movement.
Easily confused with resurrection
Resurrection usually refers to someone or something returning to life, while resurgence more commonly means the reappearance or renewed growth of a movement, trend, or activity.