reconstruction
noun
re·con·struc·tion
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən 
plural reconstructions
1
a
: the action of reconstructing : the act or process of rebuilding, repairing, or restoring something
reconstruction efforts to repair hurricane damage
the reconstruction of the dam
the reconstruction of postwar Europe
b
Reconstruction in U.S. history
: the period from 1865 to 1877 in which the southern states that had seceded during the American Civil War rejoined the United States
c
medical
: repair of an organ or body part by reconstructive surgery
knee/ligament reconstruction
2
a
: the re-creation or reimagining of something from the past especially by using information acquired through research
the historical reconstruction of an ancient village
the newspaper's reconstruction of the events
b
: a technical process by which scientific principles and techniques are applied to physical evidence in order to create an accurate reenactment or understanding of a past occurrence or event (such as an accident)
technology used in crime scene reconstruction
Examples of reconstruction in a Sentence
the reconstruction of the dam
the reconstruction of postwar Europe
reconstruction of the health-care system
They were able to determine the cause of the accident by careful reconstruction of the events leading up to it.
The police staged a reconstruction of the crime.
Recent Examples on the Web
The reconstruction was live streamed, playing in local bars and even on the scoreboard during a Phillies game.
—
Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023
In May, Interpol shared details of the cold cases, including facial reconstructions, hoping that someone might recognize them and come forward.
—Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
Kiska, the company Arkan headed up before KSK, was involved with two city bribery cases, including one involving the reconstruction of the Third Avenue Bridge in the mid-aughts, according to The City.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2023
In June, 1941, Roosevelt issued an executive order banning discriminatory employment practices in the defense industry, the first Presidential civil-rights order since Reconstruction.
—Dan Kaufman, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023
After a period of physical reconstruction, the peace-keeping force would oversee elections in which Palestinians could choose their new leaders.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 20 Oct. 2023
The radical reconstruction took time to coalesce, and the Toreros won just one of their first nine games last season before closing 7-1-1.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2023
An impactful part of navigating life after breast cancer is the option to explore breast reconstruction.
—Essence, 11 Nov. 2023
In doing so, Scott became the first Black senator from the American South since the end of Reconstruction after the Civil War.
—Abby Cruz, ABC News, 11 Nov. 2023
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Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023
In May, Interpol shared details of the cold cases, including facial reconstructions, hoping that someone might recognize them and come forward.
—Rachel Pannett, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023
Kiska, the company Arkan headed up before KSK, was involved with two city bribery cases, including one involving the reconstruction of the Third Avenue Bridge in the mid-aughts, according to The City.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 6 Nov. 2023
In June, 1941, Roosevelt issued an executive order banning discriminatory employment practices in the defense industry, the first Presidential civil-rights order since Reconstruction.
—Dan Kaufman, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2023
After a period of physical reconstruction, the peace-keeping force would oversee elections in which Palestinians could choose their new leaders.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 20 Oct. 2023
The radical reconstruction took time to coalesce, and the Toreros won just one of their first nine games last season before closing 7-1-1.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2023
An impactful part of navigating life after breast cancer is the option to explore breast reconstruction.
—Essence, 11 Nov. 2023
In doing so, Scott became the first Black senator from the American South since the end of Reconstruction after the Civil War.
—Abby Cruz, ABC News, 11 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reconstruction.' 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
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing reconstruction
Dictionary Entries Near reconstruction
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruction. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
reconstruction
noun
re·con·struc·tion
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən
1
a
: the action of reconstructing : the state of being reconstructed
b
often capitalized
: the reorganization and reestablishment of the Confederate states in the Union after the American Civil War
2
: something reconstructed
Medical Definition
reconstruction
noun
re·con·struc·tion
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən
: repair of an organ or part by reconstructive surgery
breast reconstruction
Legal Definition
reconstruction
noun
re·con·struc·tion
1
: a rebuilding of a nonfunctional patented article that amounts to creation of a new article and constitutes infringement of the patent
the complete replacement of the mechanism was a reconstruction and not a repair
2
: the practice or process of recreating an incident (as an accident) for the purpose of investigating the specific facts and circumstances surrounding it
heard testimony on the speed of the vehicle from an expert in accident reconstruction
More from Merriam-Webster on reconstruction
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reconstruction
Nglish: Translation of reconstruction for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of reconstruction for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reconstruction
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