rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˌ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt (ˌ)rē-ˈbilt  ; 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 point of the movie was to reconnect and rebuild this home that had been wrecked, but everyone wants to take a side regardless. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 June 2024

Since then, Sherri has served her time in jail and at a halfway house, all while Keith has rebuilt his life and told his side of the story in the Hulu docuseries Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini, premiering June 20. —Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 21 June 2024

However, most residents who live in flood zones don’t have the hundreds of thousands of dollars required to elevate their homes or rebuild. —Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 19 June 2024

The job helped rebuild his confidence but also served as a warning shot. —Ben Church, CNN, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

rebuild

verb

re·​build (ˈ)rē-ˈbild 

rebuilt -ˈbilt  ; rebuilding

1

: to make important repairs to or changes in

rebuild an old house

2

: to build again

planned to rebuild after the fire