reignite

Reignite is a verb meaning to light again or to revive something that has diminished or paused. It can refer to a physical process—reigniting a flame or fuel mixture in a fire, burner, or engine—as well as to the revival of interest, energy, or activity in a person, relationship, organization, or project. The term combines the prefix re- meaning again with ignite, which derives from a root related to fire.

In technical contexts, reignition describes restarting combustion after extinction or during a cycle. In internal combustion engines and gas burners, re-ignition can occur when a pilot flame is restored or when the control system re-establishes stable ignition after a misfire or shutdown. In aerospace or rocket technology, ignition can sometimes be restarted under specific conditions; however, the more general term reignition or re-ignition is often used to describe the process.

In everyday language, reignite is commonly employed metaphorically to describe reviving interest, enthusiasm, or momentum. For example, a company may seek to reignite customer engagement after a downturn; diplomacy may aim to reignite negotiations; a creative project might aim to reignite public attention or enthusiasm.

Variants include reignite, re-ignite, and less commonly reinignite. The term is widely understood across industries and disciplines, but its precise meaning depends on context: a literal restoration of a flame, or the renewal of activity or sentiment.

See also: rekindle, revive, reawaken.