reopen

verb

re·​open (ˌ)rē-ˈō-pən 

-ˈō-pᵊm

reopened; reopening; reopens

transitive verb

1

: to open again

2

a

: to take up again : resume

reopen discussion

b

: to resume discussion or consideration of

reopen a contract

3

: to begin again

intransitive verb

: to open again

school reopens in September

Synonyms of reopen

• continue
• restart
• resume

Examples of reopen in a Sentence

The restaurant will reopen in April.

I'm sorry, but the store is closed. We reopen at nine on Monday.

The cut on his knee reopened when he tried to run.

The company announced plans to reopen its Detroit factory.

a procedure to reopen a clogged artery

The district attorney reopened the murder case because new evidence was found.

He wants the team to reopen his contract.

Recent Examples on the Web

The car wash reopened on Monday, but employees said the safety perimeter and nearby road closures continue to keep customers away. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 13 July 2026

The announcement ends speculation that the Hudson facility would be reopened, with the rumors helping prompt Democratic state legislators to pass a new law requiring more oversight of immigrant detention facilities in the state. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 13 July 2026

With the thoughtful guidance of the NYPD, gates were reopened cautiously and carefully to ensure the safety of those inside and outside. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

The latest exchange casts further doubt on the future of the interim peace agreement signed last month, which sought to pave the way for permanently reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war after 60 days of negotiations. — Sean Conlon,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 13 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing reopen

• reopen old wounds

Rhymes for reopen

• open
• atropine

Kids Definition

reopen

verb

re·​open (ˈ)rē-ˈō-pən 

-ˈōp-ᵊn

1

: to open again

2

: to take up again : resume

reopen the discussion

Legal Definition

reopen

transitive verb

re·​open ˌrē-ˈō-pən 

1

: to take up again

reopen discussion

2

: to resume the discussion or consideration of (a closed matter)

reopen the contract to negotiate benefits

3

: to try or hear (an action) anew especially for the purpose of hearing new evidence