rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˌ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt (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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of rebuild in a Sentence

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

They tried to rebuild after the earthquake.

The new owner plans to rebuild the franchise.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Popular on Variety The series is engaging and worthwhile, as the audience watches Biles rebuild her confidence in the gym. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 July 2024

The 1,000-foot walkway from Tower City to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse may be moved and rebuilt — just one of the dramatic infrastructural changes envisioned in Bedrock's Riverfront Master Development Plan. —Sam Allard, Axios, 17 July 2024

Creator Three-in-One Exotic Parrot Building Toy Set This three-in-one Lego set is a great choice for animal lovers seven and up, as it can be rebuilt from a parrot with poseable wings to a fish with moveable fins, and then into a frog with flexible legs. —Mia Huelsbeck, Peoplemag, 16 July 2024

But it was rebuilt in 1926 when the congregation moved to Grier Heights, a Black neighborhood founded around 1892 by Sam Billings, a formerly enslaved man. —Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˈ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt -ˈbilt  ; rebuilding

1

: to make important repairs to or changes in

rebuild an old house

2

: to build again

planned to rebuild after the fire