reconstruct

verb

re·​con·​struct ˌrē-kən-ˈstrəkt 

reconstructed; reconstructing; reconstructs

transitive verb

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

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

reconstructible

ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-tə-bəl 

adjective

reconstructive

ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-tiv 

adjective

reconstructor

ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-tər 

noun

Examples 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

The southwest corners of the intersections will be reconstructed with new curbs, curb ramps and signal equipment. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024

An agent meticulously reconstructed more than 100 pages of what appeared to be thousands of emails sent to the Potter family. —Katie O'Brien, ABC News, 5 Apr. 2024

In a new book, two sociologists reconstruct the lives of people who were abandoned in death. —Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024

Bodor says the injured surgeon was surprisingly calm during pre-op, as the two discussed the complicated procedure to reconstruct the man's mangled hand. —Chris Arnold, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024

The technology reconstructed the structures and created an image, released by the Côtes d’Armor Departmental Council. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2024

The testimony of Halls, who pleaded no contest last year to negligent use of a firearm and completed six months of unsupervised parole, may weigh significantly as prosecutors reconstruct the chain of events and custody of ammunition that led to the shooting. —CBS News, 1 Mar. 2024

Former Fortune fellow Ben Weiss reconstructed FTX’s final week using text messages entered as evidence. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2024

President Joe Biden has vowed to reconstruct the bridge as soon as possible. —George Solis, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

reconstruct

verb

re·​con·​struct ˌrē-kən-ˈstrəkt 

: to construct again : rebuild, remodel

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