# reopen

/ɹiˈoʊpən/ (US) · /ɹɪˈəʊpən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reopen
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to open a place again

verb · CEFR B1

to open a shop, building, or business again after it was closed.

For teachers: to resume operations or make a physical location accessible again after a period of closure.

- The museum will reopen to the public next month after the repairs are finished.
- Following extensive renovations to the structural foundations, the historic library is scheduled to reopen its doors to the public early next spring.

Usage: Can be used with or without a direct object.

### 2. to restart a process

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to start a formal discussion or investigation again.

For teachers: to resume a formal procedure, such as a legal case, investigation, or negotiation, that had previously concluded or paused.

- The police decided to reopen the case when they found new evidence.
- The prosecutor moved to reopen the inquiry after a key witness emerged with testimony that contradicted the original findings.

Usage: Typically takes a direct object like 'case', 'investigation', or 'debate'.

## Examples

- The library will reopen on Monday morning.
- After months of renovations, the local museum is finally ready to reopen its doors to the public.
- The judge decided to reopen the case after new forensic evidence emerged that contradicted the original witness testimony.

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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.