rewire

verb

re·​wire (ˌ)rē-ˈwī(-ə)r 

rewired; rewiring

transitive verb

1

: to provide or connect (something) with wire again

especially : to replace the electrical wiring of (something, such as a building or electronic device)

rewired the house

rewire a circuit board

2

: to make lasting and usually beneficial changes to the neurological or psychological functioning of (a person or brain)

—not used technically

The injured brain, moreover, can rewire itself.

—Joan Didion

Not only do studies show that meditation is boosting their immune system, but brain scans suggest that it may be rewiring their brains to reduce stress.

—Joel Stein

… nearly nine out of 10 adult smokers started smoking by age 18; nicotine can rewire youths' brains, making heroin and other opioids even more addictive.

—Delia DeRiggiWhitton

Can you rewire yourself? I went back through pivotal points in my life, when one should be happy.

—Kim Korson

Examples of rewire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Parenting has always been hard, Kennedy said, but the online nature of modern life — with its smartphones, iPads, social media and video games — has rewired people to expect instant rewards without putting in the effort. —Andrea Kane, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024

The exploration of how colonialism rewires our brains is sophisticated and compelling. —Constance Grady, Vox, 20 July 2024

Some research suggests psilocybin, a psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, eases depression by rewiring the brain, altering its landscape to disrupt toxic thought patterns. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 2 Oct. 2024

Canadian school boards are suing social media giants for nearly $3 billion, claiming such platforms have rewired the way children think, behave and learn. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1