reconstruction

noun

re·​con·​struc·​tion ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce reconstruction (audio)
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 Ten weeks ago, surgeons performed a partial reconstruction of Niebla’s knee. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 Notably, this will include a reconstruction of the Golden 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe, General Motor's 50th millionth car. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024 Throughout 2019, facial reconstruction began and was eventually released to the media. Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Feb. 2024 Glitzy plans for the capital The Taliban has big plans for postwar reconstruction, but restrictions on women could become the primary obstacle. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2024 Two years later, a clay facial reconstruction was released by officials. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024 Michael Govan put her on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which, like the Studio Museum, is now undergoing major reconstruction. Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 The Metro Transit Police Department reconstruction team is leading the investigation into the incident, with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol. Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2024 Australopithecus afarensis reconstruction, Natural Science Museum - Muse - Trento, Italy. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reconstruction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of reconstruction was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near reconstruction

Cite this Entry

“Reconstruction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reconstruction. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reconstruction

noun
re·​con·​struc·​tion ˌrē-kən-ˈstrək-shən How to pronounce reconstruction (audio)
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 How to pronounce reconstruction (audio)
: repair of an organ or part by reconstructive surgery
breast reconstruction

Legal Definition

reconstruction

noun
re·​con·​struc·​tion
1
: a rebuilding of a nonfunctional patented article that amounts to creation of a new article and constitutes infringement of the patent
the complete replacement of the mechanism was a reconstruction and not a repair
2
: the practice or process of recreating an incident (as an accident) for the purpose of investigating the specific facts and circumstances surrounding it
heard testimony on the speed of the vehicle from an expert in accident reconstruction
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