reconstruction
noun
re·con·struc·tion
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən 
plural reconstructions
1
a
: the action of reconstructing : the act or process of rebuilding, repairing, or restoring something
reconstruction efforts to repair hurricane damage
the reconstruction of the dam
the reconstruction of postwar Europe
b
Reconstruction in U.S. history
: the period from 1865 to 1877 in which the southern states that had seceded during the American Civil War rejoined the United States
c
medical
: repair of an organ or body part by reconstructive surgery
knee/ligament reconstruction
2
a
: the re-creation or reimagining of something from the past especially by using information acquired through research
the historical reconstruction of an ancient village
the newspaper's reconstruction of the events
b
: a technical process by which scientific principles and techniques are applied to physical evidence in order to create an accurate reenactment or understanding of a past occurrence or event (such as an accident)
technology used in crime scene reconstruction
Examples of reconstruction in a Sentence
the reconstruction of the dam
the reconstruction of postwar Europe
reconstruction of the health-care system
They were able to determine the cause of the accident by careful reconstruction of the events leading up to it.
The police staged a reconstruction of the crime.
Recent Examples on the Web
Five weeks ago, Transportation secretary Sean Duffy grabbed back the Penn Station reconstruction project from the MTA.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 23 May 2025
Although they can be waived for 180 days by executive order, investors are likely to be wary of reconstruction projects when sanctions could be reinstated after six months.
—Abby Sewell, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
That deal should be coupled with a commitment from Arab states to use their financial, political and military assets to exile Hamas leaders and fighters from Gaza and destruction of their weapons as a condition for Gaza’s reconstruction.
—Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
At some point, the Ukraine conflict will be over, and the need for post-war reconstruction should provide additional impetus for economic development, Mazen contends.
—Larry Light, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reconstruction
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Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 23 May 2025
Although they can be waived for 180 days by executive order, investors are likely to be wary of reconstruction projects when sanctions could be reinstated after six months.
—Abby Sewell, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
That deal should be coupled with a commitment from Arab states to use their financial, political and military assets to exile Hamas leaders and fighters from Gaza and destruction of their weapons as a condition for Gaza’s reconstruction.
—Ben Sales, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
At some point, the Ukraine conflict will be over, and the need for post-war reconstruction should provide additional impetus for economic development, Mazen contends.
—Larry Light, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reconstruction
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruction. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
reconstruction
noun
re·con·struc·tion
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən
1
a
: the action of reconstructing : the state of being reconstructed
b
often capitalized
: the reorganization and reestablishment of the Confederate states in the Union after the American Civil War
2
: something reconstructed
Medical Definition
reconstruction
noun
re·con·struc·tion
ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən
: repair of an organ or part by reconstructive surgery
breast reconstruction
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