rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˌ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt (ˌ)rē-ˈbilt  ; rebuilding

transitive verb

1

a

: to make extensive repairs to : reconstruct

rebuild a war-torn city

b

: to restore to a previous state

rebuild inventories

2

: to make extensive changes in : remodel

rebuild society

intransitive verb

: to build again

planned to rebuild after the fire

Choose the Right Synonym for rebuild

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.

mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of rebuild in a Sentence

He rebuilt his house after it was destroyed by a fire.

They tried to rebuild after the earthquake.

The new owner plans to rebuild the franchise.

The team is rebuilding after losing most of its top players.

Recent Examples on the Web

And that’s even before Brian Flynn, long-time Burnley resident and legendary former Wrexham manager who effectively rebuilt the club in the 1990s, pops up to say hello. —Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025

Examples of such projects include rebuilding a highway, bridge or railway. —Albert C. Lin, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2025

But even a split that’s been a long time coming can be devastating to the people forced to rebuild their lives in its wake. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025

The wildfires that devastated Southern California, reducing entire neighborhoods to checkerboards of ash, have left behind tough questions about how to rebuild in this land of dry brush and wind. —David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for rebuild

• backfilled
• distilled
• fulfilled
• infilled
• instilled
• refilled
• unfilled
• unskilled
• untilled
• billed
• build
• chilled

Kids Definition

rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˈ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt -ˈbilt  ; rebuilding

1

: to make important repairs to or changes in

rebuild an old house

2

: to build again

planned to rebuild after the fire