The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Insurrection \In`sur*rec"tion\, n. [L. insurrectio, fr.
   insurgere, insurrectum: cf. F. insurrection. See
   Insurgent.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A rising against civil or political authority, or the
      established government; open and active opposition to the
      execution of law in a city or state.
      [1913 Webster]

            It is found that this city of old time hath made
            insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and
            sedition have been made therein.      --Ezra iv. 19.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A rising in mass to oppose an enemy. [Obs.]

   Syn: Insurrection, Sedition, Revolt, Rebellion,
        Mutiny.

   Usage: Sedition is the raising of commotion in a state, as by
          conspiracy, without aiming at open violence against
          the laws. Insurrection is a rising of individuals to
          prevent the execution of law by force of arms. Revolt
          is a casting off the authority of a government, with a
          view to put it down by force, or to substitute one
          ruler for another. Rebellion is an extended
          insurrection and revolt. Mutiny is an insurrection on
          a small scale, as a mutiny of a regiment, or of a
          ship's crew.
          [1913 Webster]

                I say again,
                In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate
                The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition.
                                                  --Shak.
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                Insurrections of base people are commonly more
                furious in their beginnings.      --Bacon.
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                He was greatly strengthened, and the enemy as
                much enfeebled, by daily revolts. --Sir W.
                                                  Raleigh.
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                Though of their names in heavenly records now
                Be no memorial, blotted out and razed
                By their rebellion from the books of life.
                                                  --Milton.
          [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

insurrection
    n 1: organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one
         faction tries to wrest control from another [syn:
         rebellion, insurrection, revolt, rising,
         uprising]

The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

INSURRECTION, n.  An unsuccessful revolution.  Disaffection's failure
to substitute misrule for bad government.