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

• continue
• pick up
• proceed (with)
• renew
• 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 basilica will reopen to visitors again on Sunday. —Sean Keane, ABC News, 26 Apr. 2025

Though it was replaced by a modern crossing in 1982, a 2.2-mile section reopened to pedestrians and cyclists in 2022. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2025

Paul’s Drive-In, which will soon be called Paul’s Jr. Drive-In, will reopen in the coming months at 1008 Osage Ave. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2025

Mourners began arriving before dawn, and sprinted into the piazza when security reopened the flows. —Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing reopen

• reopen old wounds

Rhymes for reopen

• open

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