What does "rebuild" mean?

1. (to construct again) to build something again after it was damaged or destroyed. 2. (to restore or improve) to make something like a relationship, a team, or a life better after a bad time. 3. (the process of building again) the act of building something again, or the finished result.

rebuild

v. · n.

US //ɹiˈbɪɫd// UK //ɹɪbˈɪld// re·build

1 to construct again (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to build something again after it was damaged or destroyed.

to construct a physical structure again after it has been demolished or damaged. Often used transitively with a direct object.

Example

The city had to rebuild many houses after the heavy floods last year.

Example

Following the earthquake, the government allocated significant funds to rebuild the historic district using modern seismic safety standards.
- reconstruct
- restore
- re erect
- demolish
- destroy
2 to restore or improve (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to make something like a relationship, a team, or a life better after a bad time.

to restore or strengthen an abstract entity, such as a reputation, relationship, or organisation, after a period of decline or failure.

Example

It took several years for the two friends to rebuild their trust in each other.

Example

The new CEO was hired specifically to rebuild the company's reputation after the public relations disaster of the previous summer.
- weaken
- undermine

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3 the process of building again (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of building something again, or the finished result.

the process or the specific instance of reconstructing something. Often used in technical or sports contexts.

Example

The engine rebuild was expensive, but the car runs like new now.

Example

The team's management announced a total rebuild, trading away veteran players to focus on developing younger talent for the future.
- reconstruction
- renovation
- demolition

Origin

From re- + build.