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
Using almost exclusively English-language sources plus interviews (including with Empress Farah, who is still living), Anderson reconstructs the bumblings that upended Iran.
—Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
To not start with some sort of prior reality in which all stuff exists, but rather reconstruct the history of the universe from within, so to speak.
—Quanta Magazine, 24 July 2025
Archaeologists are used to reconstructing now-invisible phenomena like climate.
—Raven Garvey, Space.com, 24 July 2025
Crews will be widening roads and reconstructing interchanges along parts of the Watterson Expressway, Interstate 71 and Brownsboro Road through Fall 2027, KYTC officials previously said.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reconstruct
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Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
To not start with some sort of prior reality in which all stuff exists, but rather reconstruct the history of the universe from within, so to speak.
—Quanta Magazine, 24 July 2025
Archaeologists are used to reconstructing now-invisible phenomena like climate.
—Raven Garvey, Space.com, 24 July 2025
Crews will be widening roads and reconstructing interchanges along parts of the Watterson Expressway, Interstate 71 and Brownsboro Road through Fall 2027, KYTC officials previously said.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reconstruct
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruct. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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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