To revitalize means to give new life, energy, or strength to something that has become weak, tired, or run-down. When a city revitalizes an old neighborhood, it might add new parks, fix up buildings, and bring in shops and businesses that make people want to visit again. When you revitalize yourself after a long day at school, you might take a nap, play outside, or do something fun that restores your energy.

Think of a wilting plant that perks up after you water it, or how a soccer team might revitalize its strategy at halftime when it's losing.

You'll often hear about efforts to revitalize downtown areas, struggling schools, or old traditions that people want to keep alive. A teacher might revitalize a boring lesson by adding games or hands-on activities. The key idea is taking something that exists but isn't thriving and breathing fresh energy into it so it flourishes again.