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

This is why things that start off challenging get easier with practice—our brains have rewired themselves. — Dr. Deepika Chopra, Flow Space, 16 June 2026

On Wednesday, his brain chemistry rewired. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 14 June 2026

All of it came out of an American research enterprise that the federal government is now proposing to fundamentally rewire for no good reason. — David J. Skorton, STAT, 12 June 2026

The moon’s harmonious connection to Uranus rewires your professional priorities. — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 June 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