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
Temporal data management allows businesses to track historical changes, reconstruct past states and maintain regulatory records.
—Mohan Kumar, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Archaeologists began excavating and reconstructing the palace complex in the mid-1970s, including the original stone embankments, water conduit and drainage channel.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
The anecdote convinces me that the key Tatlin work in this show is a podium, built in 1927, for the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution, and reconstructed from old photographs.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Tang Dynasty buildings where the heads were adorned are also rarely found as they were commonly reconstructed and replaced over time.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reconstruct
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Mohan Kumar, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Archaeologists began excavating and reconstructing the palace complex in the mid-1970s, including the original stone embankments, water conduit and drainage channel.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
The anecdote convinces me that the key Tatlin work in this show is a podium, built in 1927, for the tenth anniversary of the October Revolution, and reconstructed from old photographs.
—Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Tang Dynasty buildings where the heads were adorned are also rarely found as they were commonly reconstructed and replaced over time.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 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 17 Mar. 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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