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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The reconstruction process has yielded fresh perspectives on the Gothic masterpiece, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Dana Thomas, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024 According to a GoFundMe page that’s raised more than $15,000 to help pay for the reconstruction of the store, nobody was hurt. Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024 That means a lack of clarity, lower-quality textures, missing lighting effects, and artifacts around characters as reconstruction wizardry fails to keep up. Craig Grannell, WIRED, 4 Nov. 2024 Hezbollah’s foes in Lebanese politics believed that the organization, along with Iran, was responsible for initiating the conflict last year and therefore should foot the bill for reconstruction. Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reconstruction 

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 30 Nov. 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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