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
Telling a true story that helps reconstruct an important part of Brazil’s hidden history, the film takes place in 1971 Brazil, as the country faces the tightening grip of a military dictatorship.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024
Advertisement Experts hope to conduct DNA analyses and possibly reconstruct detailed life histories, as well as looking into social patterns in Viking Age, such as kinship, migration patterns and more.
—James Brooks, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Tissue was taken from the skin on her back to reconstruct her breast, and one of her latissimus dorsi was rotated.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024
To guide their efforts, the team wanted to reconstruct the former extent of oyster populations.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reconstruct 
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2024
Advertisement Experts hope to conduct DNA analyses and possibly reconstruct detailed life histories, as well as looking into social patterns in Viking Age, such as kinship, migration patterns and more.
—James Brooks, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024
Tissue was taken from the skin on her back to reconstruct her breast, and one of her latissimus dorsi was rotated.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024
To guide their efforts, the team wanted to reconstruct the former extent of oyster populations.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reconstruct
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reconstruct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near reconstruct
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruct. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
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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