phoenix

noun

phoe·​nix ˈfē-niks How to pronounce phoenix (audio)
: a legendary bird which according to one account lived 500 years, burned itself to ashes on a pyre, and rose alive from the ashes to live another period
also : a person or thing likened to the phoenix
phoenixlike adjective

Examples of phoenix in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So now, the phoenix of TikTok is rising from the ashes and its absence from people’s phones will have been nothing more than a blip, for now at least. David Phelan, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025 The study of American history and government is undergoing an unprecedented renewal, akin to the phoenix — a mythical bird that is reborn by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Michael Poliakoff, National Review, 29 Dec. 2024 State of play: A spokesperson for the Department of Administration confirmed that the group got permission to put the orange phoenix just outside the rotunda. Torey Van Oot, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024 The first step to liberate is to shout out what was to open space for what becomes tongues untied, our pet phoenix rising. Jennifer Harlan, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for phoenix 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fenix, from Old English, from Latin phoenix, from Greek phoinix

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phoenix was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near phoenix

Cite this Entry

“Phoenix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phoenix. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

phoenix

noun
phoe·​nix ˈfē-niks How to pronounce phoenix (audio)
: a legendary bird which was thought to live for 500 years, burn itself to death, and then rise newborn from the ashes

Geographical Definition

Phoenix

geographical name

Phoe·​nix ˈfē-niks How to pronounce Phoenix (audio)
city on the Salt River in Arizona population 1,445,632

Note: Phoenix is Arizona's capital and its most populous city.

Phoenician noun

More from Merriam-Webster on phoenix

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