rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˌ)rē-ˈbild How to pronounce rebuild (audio)
rebuilt (ˌ)rē-ˈbilt How to pronounce rebuild (audio) ; 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 His small act of kindness resonated deeply in a heartbroken community striving to rebuild and find its way forward. Alaa Elassar, CNN, 26 Oct. 2024 The vote marked a significant turning point for Butts, who rebuilt Inglewood and defied odds by creating a joint powers authority and coalescing official support and funds for the project in four years, a relatively short time in the transportation planning world. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024 But they’ve been rebuilt and enlarged, mimicking the shape of a nautilus shell with neutral colors punctuated by coral accents and furnished with brass, marble, ceramics and antiques from Oman. Laurie Werner, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 As viewers will soon learn, Nikki’s husband Victor (Eric Braeden) made the decision to secretly rebuild their original home after it was burned down in 2012 by that crazy Sharon. The Deadline Tv Team, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rebuild 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rebuild.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebuild was in 1537

Dictionary Entries Near rebuild

Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuild. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rebuild

verb
re·​build (ˈ)rē-ˈbild How to pronounce rebuild (audio)
rebuilt -ˈbilt How to pronounce rebuild (audio) ; rebuilding
1
: to make important repairs to or changes in
rebuild an old house
2
: to build again
planned to rebuild after the fire
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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