WordGarden.iorebuild
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rɪbˈɪld/
US
- /riˈbɪld/
Meanings
Verb
build something again after damage, loss, or dismantling
restore something weakened or damaged so it is strong or working again
compile or regenerate software, data, or a digital system again
Noun
a period of restructuring a team or organization to make it competitive again
Beyond the definition
To rebuild means to construct something again after it has been damaged or destroyed. Think of a little bird rebuilding its nest after a storm, or a city rebuilding after a disaster. But "rebuild" isn't just about physical structures! You can also rebuild trust with someone you've hurt, or rebuild your life after a difficult time. It implies effort and a return to a former state—or even something better. A carpenter might rebuild a table, while a politician might promise to rebuild the economy.
The word "rebuild" signifies the act of restoring something to a former condition, often after it has been damaged, destroyed, or fallen into disrepair. It's more than just repairing; rebuilding implies a comprehensive process of reconstruction, requiring effort and resources to bring something back to life.
You might hear about cities rebuilding after natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes—"The townspeople worked tirelessly to rebuild their homes and businesses." But rebuilding isn't limited to physical structures. It can also refer to intangible things. A fractured relationship might require time and effort to rebuild trust, a struggling athlete may need to rebuild their strength after an injury, or someone facing personal hardship might focus on rebuilding their life.
The act of rebuilding often suggests improvement alongside restoration. It's not simply returning something to how it was before; there's an implication of making it stronger, more resilient, or better suited for the future. A car mechanic doesn't just fix a broken engine—they rebuild it to ensure optimal performance.
So whether you're talking about structures, relationships, or personal growth, "rebuild" describes the process of restoring something—often with the intention of making it even stronger than before.
Examples
- 1
Home repair
After the fire, the family spent a year rebuilding their house.
- 2
Disaster recovery
The city is still rebuilding after the earthquake.
- 3
Physical recovery
She worked hard to rebuild her strength after the operation.
- 4
Trust
It takes time to rebuild trust after a lie.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Life change
After the divorce, he moved to another town to rebuild his life.
- Phraserebuild your life
create a stable, satisfying life again
- 6
Reputation
The company is trying to rebuild its reputation with better customer service.
- 7
Sports team
The team is rebuilding with younger players this season.
- Domainin sports or business, be rebuilding
be trying to become strong again
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- rebuild a house
- rebuild after a disaster
- rebuild trust
- rebuild from scratch
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
7 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- rebuildverb
Forms
- re-building-ing formverb
- re-builtpast tensepast participleverb
- re-buildsverb
- rebuilding-ing formverb
- rebuiltpast tensepast participleverb
- rebuildsverb