reconstruct

/ˌˈrikənˌstrʌkt/

/rikənˈstrʌkt/

Other forms: reconstructed; reconstructing; reconstructs

If the verb to "construct" means to build something, then to reconstruct means to build it again. You can reconstruct a building, a city, or even an idea.

If a house is destroyed in a fire, earthquake, or flood, you might try to reconstruct it — or you could build a totally new one. Either way, though, you could still be said to be reconstructing your home. Some buildings were destroyed so long ago that we don't know what they really looked like. The same can be said for whole cities and cultures. Still, archeologists try to reconstruct how those cities and cultures appeared at the time that they were flourishing. Linguists reconstruct long-dead languages. Detectives try to reconstruct crimes in order to figure out who committed them.

Definitions of reconstruct

1. verb

   build again
   synonyms: rebuild

   type of:

   build, construct, make

   make by combining materials and parts
2. verb

   do over, as of (part of) a house
   synonyms: redo, remodel

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
3. verb

   reassemble mentally
   “reconstruct the events of 20 years ago”

   synonyms: construct, retrace

   types:

   etymologise, etymologize

   construct the history of words

   type of:

   conjecture, hypothecate, hypothesise, hypothesize, speculate, suppose, theorise, theorize

   believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
4. verb

   cause somebody to adapt or reform socially or politically
   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
5. verb

   return to its original or usable and functioning condition
   synonyms: restore

   types:

   decompress, uncompress

   restore to its uncompressed form

   rehab, rehabilitate

   restore someone to a good state of health or reputation

   rehabilitate

   restore to a state of good condition or operation

   defibrillate

   stop the fibrillation and restore normal contractions, usually by means of electric shocks

   reinstate

   restore to the previous state or rank

   rehabilitate

   reinstall politically

   type of:

   regenerate, renew

   reestablish on a new, usually improved, basis or make new or like new