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 $237 million project, which started in 2025, will replace 15 bridges, rehabilitate seven bridges, reconstruct the low-speed Benton and Jackson curves and add a fourth eastbound I-70 thru lane. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Using black box recordings, passenger videos, and onboard surveillance footage, Shipwrecked reconstructs the infamous disaster. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 11 July 2026

Stable isotope ecology has long relied on carbon and nitrogen to reconstruct the lives of marine animals. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

In a similar vein, Forensic Architecture applies 3-D modeling and surveillance tools in reconstructing the assassination of Pavlos Fyssas, an anti-fascist rapper murdered by the Greek far-right Golden Dawn organization in 2013. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reconstruct

• aqueduct
• deconstruct
• abduct
• conduct
• construct
• deduct
• destruct
• induct
• instruct
• obstruct
• bucked
• chucked

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