rewire

verb

re·​wire (ˌ)rē-ˈwī(-ə)r 

rewired; rewiring

transitive verb

1

: to provide or connect (something) with wire again

especially : to replace the electrical wiring of (something, such as a building or electronic device)

rewired the house

rewire a circuit board

2

: to make lasting and usually beneficial changes to the neurological or psychological functioning of (a person or brain)

—not used technically

The injured brain, moreover, can rewire itself.

—Joan Didion

Not only do studies show that meditation is boosting their immune system, but brain scans suggest that it may be rewiring their brains to reduce stress.

—Joel Stein

… nearly nine out of 10 adult smokers started smoking by age 18; nicotine can rewire youths' brains, making heroin and other opioids even more addictive.

—Delia DeRiggi-Whitton

Can you rewire yourself? I went back through pivotal points in my life, when one should be happy.

—Kim Korson

Examples of rewire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Winning games for the Vikings — and reminding the NFL of Kevin O’Connell’s head-coaching ability with quarterbacks — would rewire the conversation about Murray and set him up for a massive free-agent deal next spring. — The Athletic Nfl Staff, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Once a business has rewired around intelligence, every new capability can be deployed faster and at lower marginal cost. — Nigel Vaz, Time, 20 July 2026

With practice, toe yoga gets easier (thanks to neuroplasticity, which is when your brain rewires itself in response to new challenges). — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026

Doctors said the lack of blood flow made a small spot in the front left hemisphere of his brain inactive, but those functions could rewire to another region over time. — Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rewire

• briar
• brier
• buyer
• choir
• crier
• cryer
• drier
• dryer
• eyer
• flier
• flyer
• friar