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

The simple act of walking can rewire trauma's hold on our nervous systems. —Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Cross-Border Payments and Technology Innovation Blockchain is rewiring how money moves across borders. —Roomy Khan, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

But, that ship left the harbor after the Aggies rewired the industry standard for contract writing with Fisher’s deal, and later Fisher's premature extension. —Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

At this pivotal moment - as AI reshapes society, mental health crises deepen, and social media rewires human connection - the data suggests success requires more than any single leadership style. —Gemma Allen, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1