awakening

Universal Words noun 1 [C,usually sing.] an occasion when you realize sth or become aware of sth: If they had expected a warm welcome, they were in for a rude awakening (= they would soon realize that it would not be warm). 2 [C,U] the act of beginning to understand or feel sth; the act of sth starting or waking: sexual awakening * the awakening of interest in the environment