reopen

verb

re·​open (ˌ)rē-ˈō-pən 

-ˈō-pᵊm

reopened; reopening; reopens

transitive verb

1

: to open again

2

a

: to take up again : resume

reopen discussion

b

: to resume discussion or consideration of

reopen a contract

3

: to begin again

intransitive verb

: to open again

school reopens in September

Synonyms

• continue
• pick up
• proceed (with)
• renew
• restart
• resume

Examples of reopen in a Sentence

The restaurant will reopen in April.

I'm sorry, but the store is closed. We reopen at nine on Monday.

The cut on his knee reopened when he tried to run.

The company announced plans to reopen its Detroit factory.

a procedure to reopen a clogged artery

The district attorney reopened the murder case because new evidence was found.

He wants the team to reopen his contract.

Recent Examples on the Web

When Freedman stepped away from the gallery, Fitzpatrick paused his gallery’s programming just a few months before the pandemic, reopening at his most recent Paris location in 2020. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Kentucky crews also reopened the I-471 northbound entrance and exit ramps shortly after. —Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2024

Shelved Goons cases were reopened, and new investigations were initiated. —Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024

Through this petition, the court could reverse the convictions or reopen proceedings. —Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing reopen

• reopen old wounds

Kids Definition

reopen

verb

re·​open (ˈ)rē-ˈō-pən 

-ˈōp-ᵊn

1

: to open again

2

: to take up again : resume

reopen the discussion

Legal Definition

reopen

transitive verb

re·​open ˌrē-ˈō-pən 

1

: to take up again

reopen discussion

2

: to resume the discussion or consideration of (a closed matter)

reopen the contract to negotiate benefits

3

: to try or hear (an action) anew especially for the purpose of hearing new evidence