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
Through exclusive interviews, archival research, and declassified diplomatic cables, El Capitan y el Brazalete de Esmeraldas reconstructs the events from multiple perspectives.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Instead, with the cooperation of Kilmer’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, Voorhees reconstructed the performance using generative artificial intelligence, assembling the role from archival material and digital tools.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The pieces are made from woods such as holly, cherry, walnut and poplar, which DeKnikker deconstructs into tiny fragments, nearly all the exact same size, and reconstructs into looping and curling abstract sculptures.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, just outside Des Moines, helps protect, restore, and reconstruct that fragile native ecosystem, including its vibrant flowers.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reconstruct
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Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Instead, with the cooperation of Kilmer’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, Voorhees reconstructed the performance using generative artificial intelligence, assembling the role from archival material and digital tools.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The pieces are made from woods such as holly, cherry, walnut and poplar, which DeKnikker deconstructs into tiny fragments, nearly all the exact same size, and reconstructs into looping and curling abstract sculptures.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, just outside Des Moines, helps protect, restore, and reconstruct that fragile native ecosystem, including its vibrant flowers.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reconstruct
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruct. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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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