rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˌ)rē-ˈbild How to pronounce rebuild (audio)
rebuilt (ˌ)rē-ˈbilt How to pronounce rebuild (audio) ; rebuilding

transitive verb

1
a
: to make extensive repairs to : reconstruct
rebuild a war-torn city
b
: to restore to a previous state
rebuild inventories
2
: to make extensive changes in : remodel
rebuild society

intransitive verb

: to build again
planned to rebuild after the fire
Choose the Right Synonym for rebuild

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.

mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of rebuild in a Sentence

He rebuilt his house after it was destroyed by a fire. They tried to rebuild after the earthquake. The new owner plans to rebuild the franchise. The team is rebuilding after losing most of its top players.
Recent Examples on the Web The legislation would also limit the power of local historic preservation boards like the one in Miami Beach, which has the authority to dictate whether historic structures can be demolished and mandate that certain elements be preserved when structures are rebuilt. Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 That was also the country’s industrial base; there, wartime destruction created ample opportunity to champion the workers who would rebuild the nation. Elisabeth Zerofsky, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Hidden within the looming southern California palm trees sits a daring mid-century modern house that has been rebuilt from the stubs up and into something that could be considered art. Tj MacIas, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2024 The figure doesn't take into account that some roads require rebuilding underneath the pavement, which would add more time and money. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Mar. 2024 However, people continued to come to the area, and some tried to rebuild the tubs. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 The Warriors’ hot-and-cold tendencies were on display in the third quarter, at one point rebuilding their lead to as much as 17 points before seeing New York close within 73-67 with a 13-2 run. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 The Mexican wolf reintroduction program has seen recent success in rebuilding a wild population, which AZGFD and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service attribute to strict rules like limiting the wolves to the recovery area. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 Region-wide drops in defense spending following the end of the Cold War led to arms manufacturers reducing their ability to make such weapons, and rebuilding the industry won’t happen overnight. Joshua Berlinger, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rebuild.' 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

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebuild was in 1537

Dictionary Entries Near rebuild

Cite this Entry

“Rebuild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuild. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rebuild

verb
re·​build (ˈ)rē-ˈbild How to pronounce rebuild (audio)
rebuilt -ˈbilt How to pronounce rebuild (audio) ; rebuilding
1
: to make important repairs to or changes in
rebuild an old house
2
: to build again
planned to rebuild after the fire
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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