reconstruct
verb
re·con·struct
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrəkt 
reconstructed; reconstructing; reconstructs
1
: to construct again: such as
a
: to build or assemble (something) again
reconstruct a damaged chimney
b
medical
: to subject (an organ or part) to surgery to re-form its structure or correct a defect
an athlete with a surgically reconstructed shoulder
2
a
: to re-create or reimagine (something from the past) especially by using information acquired through research
reconstructing a lost civilization
The solution is to reconstruct the vocabularies of vanished ancient languages (so-called protolanguages) by comparing vocabularies of modern languages derived from them.—
Jared Diamond
Jared Diamond
b
: to create an accurate reenactment or understanding of (a past occurrence or event, such as an accident) by applying scientific principles and techniques to physical evidence
McDaniel hired the firm to reconstruct a fiery collision in Limestone County several years ago in which two young women were killed when their car was engulfed in flames.—John Peck
John PeckExamples of reconstruct in a Sentence
After the earthquake, many houses needed to be reconstructed.
Archaeologists were able to reconstruct most of the ancient village from their findings.
They are attempting to reconstruct the events that led to the bridge's collapse.
Recent Examples on the Web
The New York Times reconstructed how the Trump administration and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador struck a deal that led to the deportation of more than 200 Venezuelan migrants to a Salvadoran prison.
—The New York Times, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Supply chains built over decades are being torn apart and reconstructed at great cost.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
In his new memoir My Next Breath, out April 29, Renner describes how his chest was reconstructed using titanium, as was his shattered leg.
—Alex Ross, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Bookbindings For the record, Tom paid for Maddie’s missing ear to be reconstructed.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reconstruct
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The New York Times, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Supply chains built over decades are being torn apart and reconstructed at great cost.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
In his new memoir My Next Breath, out April 29, Renner describes how his chest was reconstructed using titanium, as was his shattered leg.
—Alex Ross, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Bookbindings For the record, Tom paid for Maddie’s missing ear to be reconstructed.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reconstruct
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruct. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reconstruct
verb
re·con·struct
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrəkt
Medical Definition
reconstruct
transitive verb
re·con·struct
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrəkt
: to subject (an organ or part) to surgery so as to re-form the structure of or to correct a defect
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