reopen
verb
re·open
(ˌ)rē-ˈō-pən 
-ˈō-pᵊm
reopened; reopening; reopens
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
: to open again
school reopens in September
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
Producers could store crude temporarily, reduce exports in the short term, and release supplies once the strait reopens.
—
CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Schools have reopened, although Holness acknowledged some children are learning in less than ideal conditions, and between 500 and 1,000 have still not been able to fully return to classes due to the destruction of their buildings.
—Jacqueline Charles, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Particularly when airspace reopens, airlines can move quickly to take advantage of more efficient routes.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
The family of 8-year-old Cile Steward, who was swept away in the flood and whose body still has not been recovered, had asked the judge to prevent the owners from reopening the facility and to halt any construction while the lawsuit is pending.
—Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reopen
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show current usage.
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CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
Schools have reopened, although Holness acknowledged some children are learning in less than ideal conditions, and between 500 and 1,000 have still not been able to fully return to classes due to the destruction of their buildings.
—Jacqueline Charles, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026
Particularly when airspace reopens, airlines can move quickly to take advantage of more efficient routes.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
The family of 8-year-old Cile Steward, who was swept away in the flood and whose body still has not been recovered, had asked the judge to prevent the owners from reopening the facility and to halt any construction while the lawsuit is pending.
—Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reopen
Cite this Entry
“Reopen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reopen. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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