reconstruct

verb

re·​con·​struct ˌrē-kən-ˈstrəkt 

reconstructed; reconstructing; reconstructs

transitive verb

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

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

reconstructible

ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-tə-bəl 

adjective

reconstructive

ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-tiv 

adjective

reconstructor

ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-tər 

noun

Examples 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

Many of the original tiles, now housed in international collections like the British Museum and the V&A, were digitally reconstructed and displayed in the adjacent museum. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024

Under chemical analysis, scientists were able to reconstruct past environmental changes like ocean temperature shifts and the eruptions of underwater seamounts, which left their marks on the ancient sponge. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

The last quake in the zone was more than 300 years ago, so to understand the future risk, scientists are working to reconstruct the past. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024

One early joke was that the president of the future exploded and Woody had to reconstruct him. —Mike Sacks, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

reconstruct

verb

re·​con·​struct ˌrē-kən-ˈstrəkt 

: to construct again : rebuild, remodel

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