# rebuilding

/ɹiˈbɪɫdɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹɪbˈɪldɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rebuilding
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. physical reconstruction

noun · CEFR B1

the act of building a house, bridge, or city again after it was destroyed.

For teachers: the physical reconstruction of a structure or area following damage or demolition.

- The rebuilding of the city took many years after the earthquake.
- Following the devastating floods, the government prioritised the rebuilding of essential infrastructure to restore transport links to the isolated northern provinces.

Usage: often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general process.

### 2. metaphorical improvement

noun · CEFR B2

the process of making something like a team, a friendship, or a reputation strong again.

For teachers: the metaphorical restoration or systematic improvement of an abstract concept, such as a sports team, a personal relationship, or an economy.

- The coach said the team is in a period of rebuilding this season.
- The new CEO embarked on a complete rebuilding of the company's public image after the recent scandal damaged consumer trust.

Teaching tip: Commonly used in sports contexts when a team is replacing older players with younger ones.

## Examples

- The rebuilding of the bridge took two years.
- After the hurricane, the community focused on the rebuilding of local schools and hospitals to restore a sense of normalcy.
- The post-war era was defined by the massive rebuilding of urban infrastructure and the simultaneous restructuring of the nation's political institutions to prevent future conflict.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.