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

But what about having to rebuild a roster on what seems like an annual basis? —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

This mindset paints climate change as a window of opportunity - a threat on one hand, but also a chance to rethink and rebuild how finite natural and humans resources are used. —Jamil Wyne, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

In 2021, Oren and Tal purchased a $10 million waterfront home in Miami Beach to teardown and rebuild with their father. —Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

Zoom in: Thor Equities wants to cut costs at the location level, which could include lowering remodeling costs or completely rebuilding some locations for cheaper, a source familiar with Thor's thinking says. —Kimberly Chin, Axios, 11 Dec. 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