Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

rebuild

verb re·build \ (ˌ)rē-ˈbild \
|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of rebuild

rebuilt play \(ˌ)rē-ˈbilt\; rebuilding
transitive verb
1 a : to make extensive repairs to : reconstruct
  • rebuild a war-torn city
b : to restore to a previous state
  • rebuild inventories
2 : to make extensive changes in : remodel
  • rebuild society
intransitive verb
: to build again
  • planned to rebuild after the fire

See rebuild defined for English-language learners

See rebuild defined for kids

Examples of rebuild in a Sentence

  1. He rebuilt his house after it was destroyed by a fire.

  2. They tried to rebuild after the earthquake.

  3. The new owner plans to rebuild the franchise.

  4. The team is rebuilding after losing most of its top players.

Recent Examples of rebuild from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rebuild.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of rebuild

1537

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Synonym Discussion of rebuild

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective. mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.
    • mended the torn dress
repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.
    • repaired the back steps
patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.
    • patch worn jeans
rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.
    • a rebuilt automobile engine

REBUILD Defined for English Language Learners

rebuild

verb

Definition of rebuild for English Language Learners

  • : to build (something) again after it has been damaged or destroyed

  • : to make important improvements or changes in (something)

REBUILD Defined for Kids

rebuild

verb re·build \ ˌrē-ˈbild \

Definition of rebuild for Students

rebuilt \-ˈbilt\; rebuilding
1 : to make important repairs to or changes in
  • I'm rebuilding an old house.
2 : to construct again

Learn More about rebuild

  1. See words that rhyme with rebuild Spanish Central: Translation of rebuild Nglish: Translation of rebuild for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rebuild for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up rebuild? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

play

a lighting electrician on a movie set

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  2. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  3. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  4. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

  5. troll 'to harass, criticize, or antagonize especially by disparaging or mocking public statements'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

rebuild

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games