rewind

1 of 2

verb

re·​wind (ˌ)rē-ˈwīnd 

rewound (ˌ)rē-ˈwau̇nd  ; rewinding

transitive verb

: to wind again

especially : to reverse the winding of

rewind film

rewind

2 of 2

noun

re·​wind ˈrē-ˌwīnd  (ˌ)rē-ˈwīnd 

1

: something that rewinds or is rewound

2

: an act of rewinding

3

: a function of an electronic device that reverses a recording to a previous portion

Examples of rewind in a Sentence

Verb

Rewind the tape so that we can hear that song again.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This fantasy chat plays out in all its white cluelessness as the sitcom rewinds and repeats on mute. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026

Beckett’s patter of repetitions and reversals—as the tape is rewound, replayed, and punctured by Krapp’s speech in the present—resembles Lerner’s technique. —Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Noun

Movie night meant a trip to the video store, and every household knew the agony of forgetting to rewind before returning a rental. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2026

Players design their store, work the counter, restock shelves and even rewind movies — these were the VHS days after all. —Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1717, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rewind

1 of 2 verb

re·​wind rē-ˈwīnd 

rewound -ˈwau̇nd  ; rewinding

: to wind again

especially : to reverse the winding of (as a video tape)

rewind

2 of 2 noun

re·​wind ˈrē-ˌwīnd 

: a function of an electronic device that reverses a recording to a previous portion