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
Were the returning sets easy to reconstruct, or was there anything tricky about recreating things like the dorm room and Red Light/Green Light?
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2024
April After another surgery to reconstruct her skull, Skye is released from the hospital, months ahead of schedule.
—Elise Wrabetz, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2024
Though fire consumed the fourth-century original in 1823, the basilica was immediately — and faithfully — reconstructed on its original footprint beside via Ostiense (a half-hour bus ride south of the center).
—David Laskin, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The team also reconstructed what was on his mother’s menu, based on the remnants of her milk in his bones.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reconstruct 
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Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Dec. 2024
April After another surgery to reconstruct her skull, Skye is released from the hospital, months ahead of schedule.
—Elise Wrabetz, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2024
Though fire consumed the fourth-century original in 1823, the basilica was immediately — and faithfully — reconstructed on its original footprint beside via Ostiense (a half-hour bus ride south of the center).
—David Laskin, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
The team also reconstructed what was on his mother’s menu, based on the remnants of her milk in his bones.
—Joe Spring, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reconstruct
Dictionary Entries Near reconstruct
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruct. Accessed 5 Jan. 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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