noun
Common
reconstruction
ree-kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn
Reconstruction (noun) means the process of rebuilding something, or the rebuilt result. Example: “After the fire, the reconstruction of the old theatre was funded by local donations.”
noun
1
The process of rebuilding something, or the rebuilt result.
"After the fire, the reconstruction of the old theatre was funded by local donations."
"Reconstruction of the town center took nearly two years after the earthquake."
"The museum's dinosaur is a plaster reconstruction based on fossil fragments."
2
A detailed retelling of events leading up to something, often used by investigators.
"The detective gave a careful reconstruction of the evening, minute by minute."
"A video reconstruction of the crash helped the jury understand what happened."
"Police staged a reconstruction of the robbery to jog witnesses' memories."
3
Capitalized: the period after the American Civil War (1865-1877) when the US tried to reintegrate the former Confederate states.
"Many freed people sought education and work during Reconstruction in the American South."
"Our history teacher asked us to write an essay about Reconstruction."
"The novel is set during Reconstruction in rural Georgia."
How to use reconstruction
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBuilding something again, or a careful re-creation of past events.
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Word forms
- Plural
- reconstructions
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After the fire, the _____ of the old theatre was funded by local donations.
Etymology
Built from re- ("again") plus construction, itself from Latin construere ("to build").
Related words
Rhymes for reconstruction
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for reconstruction →
Frequently asked questions
What does “reconstruction” mean?
The word “reconstruction” means the process of rebuilding something, or the rebuilt result. In plain terms, building something again, or a careful re-creation of past events.
How do you pronounce “reconstruction”?
“Reconstruction” is pronounced ree-kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn (/ˌɹikənˈstɹʌkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “reconstruction” in a sentence?
Here is “reconstruction” used in a sentence: “Reconstruction of the town center took nearly two years after the earthquake.”
What part of speech is “reconstruction”?
“Reconstruction” is a noun.
Where does the word “reconstruction” come from?
The word “reconstruction” comes from Latin. Built from re- ("again") plus construction, itself from Latin construere ("to build").
Is “reconstruction” a common word?
“Reconstruction” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reconstruction” have?
“Reconstruction” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the process of rebuilding something, or the rebuilt result.
What is the difference between reconstruction and renovation?
Reconstruction means rebuilding something that has been destroyed or badly damaged, often from the ground up. Renovation means updating, repairing, or modernizing something that still stands, without rebuilding it entirely.
What is the difference between reconstruction and restoration?
Restoration aims to return something to its original condition, preserving or replicating the original as closely as possible. Reconstruction involves building something again, which may or may not exactly match the original form.
What is a crime scene or event reconstruction?
In an investigative sense, a reconstruction is a detailed retelling or recreation of the events leading up to an incident. Investigators use it to piece together what happened and in what order.
What was Reconstruction in American history?
Capitalized, Reconstruction refers to the period after the American Civil War, from 1865 to 1877, when the United States attempted to reintegrate the former Confederate states. It is a specific historical era rather than the general act of rebuilding.
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