reattach

verb

re·​at·​tach (ˌ)rē-ə-ˈtach 

reattached; reattaching; reattaches

1

transitive : to attach (something) again

reattach the hoses

reattaching the retina to underlying tissue

2

intransitive : to become attached anew

The dentist will probably bond that tooth to the adjacent teeth for a number of weeks until it reattaches.

—The Explorer (Tucson, Arizona)

reattachment

(ˌ)rē-ə-ˈtach-mənt 

noun

plural reattachments

reattachment of a severed finger

reattachment surgery

Modern treatment for detached retina may include reattachment of the retina with a laser (like spot-welding) or freezing small areas (cryotherapy).

—Richard P. Holm

Examples of reattach in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Embarrassed, Lyle runs off to the guesthouse to reattach it, followed by his brother, Erik. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 21 Sep. 2024

Root planing is the process of removing plaque and tartar deep into your gums and smoothing out the roots of your teeth so your gums can reattach to them. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 14 Aug. 2024

Now the race is on to see if surgeons can reattach it. —Cindy Boren, Washington Post, 24 July 2024

Doctors are hoping to reattach a surfer’s leg after a shark tore it off in an attack off the coast of Australia. —Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 24 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

reattach

intransitive verb

re·​at·​tach ˌrē-ə-ˈtach 

: to become attached anew

transitive verb

: to attach again

reattach a severed finger

reattachment

-mənt 

noun