reentry

noun

re·​en·​try (ˌ)rē-ˈen-trē 

1

: a retaking possession

especially : entry by a lessor on leased premises on the tenant's failure to perform the conditions of the lease

2

: a second or new entry

3

: a playing card that will enable a player to regain the lead

4

: the action of reentering the earth's atmosphere after travel in space

Examples of reentry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The aft end of Nova’s second stage is designed with a heat shield to protect the vehicle during reentry through Earth’s atmosphere. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Much like launches, reentries can drop hazardous debris on the ground below, and for safety’s sake require large stand-off zones kept clear of people and sensitive infrastructure. — Elizabeth Howell, Scientific American, 7 Sep. 2026

This time, seven more lives were lost when the original shuttle orbiter Columbia broke up on reentry over the skies of Texas, flying its 28th and final mission. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026

That, as much as their vocal opposition to the Ukraine war, arguably weakens the case for protest and will ease further reentry into the international film community. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reentry

• wintry

Kids Definition

reentry

noun

re·​en·​try (ˈ)rē-ˈen-trē 

1

: a second or new entry

2

: the action of reentering the earth's atmosphere after travel in space

Medical Definition

reentry

noun

re·​en·​try (ˈ)rē-ˈen-trē 

plural reentries

: a cardiac mechanism that is held to explain certain abnormal heart actions (as tachycardia) and that involves the transmission of a wave of depolarization along an alternate pathway when the original pathway is blocked with return of the impulse along the blocked pathway when the alternate pathway is refractory and then transmission along the open pathway resulting in an abnormality

Legal Definition

reentry

noun

re·​en·​try ˌrē-ˈen-trē 

: a retaking possession of property by a lessor or grantor in exercise of the right to do so upon the failure of the lessee or grantee to fulfill a covenant or condition see also power of termination at power sense 2b