renown

1 of 2

noun

re·​nown ri-ˈnau̇n How to pronounce renown (audio)
1
: a state of being widely acclaimed and highly honored : fame
2
obsolete : report, rumor

renown

2 of 2

verb

renowned; renowning; renowns

transitive verb

: to give renown to

Examples of renown in a Sentence

Noun He achieved great renown for his discoveries. Her photographs have earned her international renown.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
That renown may further expand during the East finals, when his Pacers renew their rivalry with the Knicks in front of a national audience. John Hollinger, New York Times, 21 May 2025 All season, hospital executive director Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey) has gone to great lengths, often to the chagrin of her employees, to bring renown and resources to the Oregon hospital. Hunter Ingram, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025 However, successful alums highlight the sustainable renown that could be mirrored in the program's future. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Later European aristocrats came to holiday; in the 1920s, Elizabeth von Arnim’s best-selling novel, Enchanted April, gave the burgeoning resort a widespread renown. Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for renown

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English renoun, from Anglo-French renum, renoun, from renomer to report, speak of, from re- + nomer to name, from Latin nominare, from nomin-, nomen name — more at name

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of renown was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Renown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/renown. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

renown

noun
re·​nown
ri-ˈnau̇n
: a state of being widely known and highly honored : fame

More from Merriam-Webster on renown

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