reunification

American  

[ree-yoo-nuh-fi-key-shuhn] / riˌju nə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the joining back together of people or things that were separated; reunion.

   The summit facilitated dialogue that would eventually contribute to German reunification.

   This new immigration law favors immigrants seeking reunification with parents, spouses, and children.

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Etymology

Origin of reunification

First recorded in 1870–75; re- ( def. ) + unification ( def. )

Explanation

Coming back together again after being separated or in conflict is called reunification. This noun is usually used to describe relations between countries, states, or territories. It's not uncommon that two countries will be allied and then find themselves clashing or even going to war against each other. If they eventually join forces again, it's an example of reunification. In recent history, the merging of East and West Germany back into one single country, in 1990, can be called reunification. Reunification, from the verb unify, comes from the Late Latin unificare, "make one."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reunification

During his campaign, Erhurman, who advocates reunification of the island, had pushed for the resumption of negotiations with the Greek Cypriots.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

Moroccan migration to the Netherlands accelerated through labour agreements during the late 1960s before family reunification turned temporary workers into permanent communities.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

The trust built up between Bonn and Moscow eased the path to German reunification after the collapse of the Eastern bloc in 1989.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026

Fewer than a third regarded the North as a potential partner, and just over one in ten support actively pursuing reunification.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

“Be grateful you have electricity and beer, comrade. Germany has no plans for reunification before sunrise.”

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith