WordGarden.ioreunification
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /rˌiːjˌuːnɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/
US
- /riˌunəfəˈkeɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the political restoration of a divided country or territory into one state again
the restoration of a family unit after relatives have been separated
Beyond the definition
Imagine a puzzle broken into pieces. Reunification is the act of putting those pieces back together and making it whole again. It is about bringing things that were once together, then separated, back into one group or state. Think of family members meeting again after years apart, or two parts of a country joining again after a long separation.
The word often carries a sense of hope and repair. While "unification" can mean making something one for the first time, "reunification" suggests it was once one, then became divided, and is now being brought back together. You might hear about the reunification of Germany after decades of division, or about family reunification when immigrants try to bring loved ones to live with them.
Reunification refers to the act or process of uniting again—restoring something that was once whole but has been separated into parts. It's more than just bringing things together; it implies a previous unity that was disrupted and an effort to recreate that original state.
The concept can apply in many contexts. Historically, reunification is often used when discussing political divisions, like the reunification of Germany in 1990 after being divided into East and West following World War II. This involved not just merging territories but also integrating systems, economies, and societies. "The long-awaited reunification brought joy to families across the nation."
However, reunification isn't limited to nations. It can describe personal connections too. Family reunification refers to bringing family members who have been separated—perhaps due to immigration or displacement—back together. "After years of legal battles, she was overjoyed at the prospect of family reunification."
Beyond people and politics, it can even apply to abstract concepts. A historian might discuss the "reunification" of different schools of thought within a particular field of study, bringing together previously disparate ideas.
The key takeaway is that reunification isn't about creating something new—it's about restoring something old, rebuilding what was lost, and bringing things back into harmony. It carries with it the weight of history, separation, and the hope for a restored future.
Examples
- 1
German history
The fall of the Berlin Wall led to German reunification in 1990.
- 2
Family reunion
After years apart, the family’s reunification at the airport was emotional.
- 3
Immigration law
The new immigration law gives priority to family reunification.
- Phrasefamily reunification
letting close relatives live together again
- 4
Peaceful politics
The president repeated his call for peaceful reunification with the island.
- Patternreunification with + place/group
becoming one country or group again with it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Political goal
For many citizens, reunification remains a long-term political goal.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- German reunification
- national reunification
- family reunification
- peaceful reunification
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- reunificationnoun