What does it mean to regenerate a permanent?

Regenerating a permanent refers to a specific game mechanic in Magic: The Gathering that primarily serves to prevent a permanent from being destroyed. When a player regenerates a permanent, the action typically involves removing all damage from it and tapping the permanent if it is not already tapped, but it also includes the important aspect of creating a "regeneration shield." This shield can prevent the permanent from going to the graveyard as a result of being destroyed.

When a regeneration effect is applied, it essentially states that if the permanent would be destroyed for any reason (such as lethal damage or an effect that says "destroy"), instead of going to the graveyard, it remains on the battlefield and is effectively "saved" from destruction. However, it’s important to note that the permanent remains on the battlefield and does not move to the owner's hand or the graveyard, nor does it involve drawing a card. These definitions highlight the specific and nuanced gameplay mechanics at work, underlining why removing damage and tapping the permanent is a crucial aspect of regeneration effects in the game.