reopen

verb

re·​open (ˌ)rē-ˈō-pən How to pronounce reopen (audio)
-ˈō-pᵊm
reopened; reopening; reopens

transitive verb

1
: to open again
2
a
: to take up again : resume
reopen discussion
b
: to resume discussion or consideration of
reopen a contract
3
: to begin again

intransitive verb

: to open again
school reopens in September

Examples of reopen in a Sentence

The restaurant will reopen in April. I'm sorry, but the store is closed. We reopen at nine on Monday. The cut on his knee reopened when he tried to run. The company announced plans to reopen its Detroit factory. a procedure to reopen a clogged artery The district attorney reopened the murder case because new evidence was found. He wants the team to reopen his contract.
Recent Examples on the Web The case stayed cold for decades, until advancements of DNA testing prompted investigators to reopen the case. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2024 The 2024 edition, the first to be held at the iconic Grand Palais building (which reopened last summer after more than three years of renovations), ended with an overwhelmingly positive response from both local and international galleries and visitors. Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 America's largest home, the Biltmore Estate, will reopen next month after suffering flooding and damage from Hurricane Helene. Erin Clements, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 Advertisement People lined up for hours on Sunday to buy bread in the few bakeries that could reopen. Andrea Rodriguez and Milexsy Duran, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reopen 

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

1605, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reopen was in 1605

Dictionary Entries Near reopen

Cite this Entry

“Reopen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reopen. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

reopen

verb
re·​open (ˈ)rē-ˈō-pən How to pronounce reopen (audio)
-ˈōp-ᵊn
1
: to open again
2
: to take up again : resume
reopen the discussion

Legal Definition

reopen

transitive verb
re·​open ˌrē-ˈō-pən How to pronounce reopen (audio)
1
: to take up again
reopen discussion
2
: to resume the discussion or consideration of (a closed matter)
reopen the contract to negotiate benefits
3
: to try or hear (an action) anew especially for the purpose of hearing new evidence

More from Merriam-Webster on reopen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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