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
The question that will be harder to determine is whether the Bruins should trade their last remaining Stanley Cup champion as part of their reconstruction.
—
Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Hurricane Helene destroyed the pair’s nest in Johnson City in September, leaving the eagles without their longtime home in a tree that stood about 100 feet tall, according to Ryan Rice, who helped with the reconstruction.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
The three-phase ceasefire deal places the reconstruction of Gaza as the final phase, following a permanent end to the war.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
Alluding to the often transactional nature of Trump’s foreign and trade policies, Timchenko said that there could be future cooperation with the U.S. on energy security and the eventual reconstruction of Ukraine.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reconstruction 
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Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Hurricane Helene destroyed the pair’s nest in Johnson City in September, leaving the eagles without their longtime home in a tree that stood about 100 feet tall, according to Ryan Rice, who helped with the reconstruction.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025
The three-phase ceasefire deal places the reconstruction of Gaza as the final phase, following a permanent end to the war.
—Scott Neuman, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
Alluding to the often transactional nature of Trump’s foreign and trade policies, Timchenko said that there could be future cooperation with the U.S. on energy security and the eventual reconstruction of Ukraine.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for reconstruction
Dictionary Entries Near reconstruction
Cite this Entry
“Reconstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruction. Accessed 31 Jan. 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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