reinvent

[ree-in-vent]

verb (used with object)

to invent again or anew, especially without knowing that the invention already exists.
to remake or make over, as in a different form: At 60, he reinvented himself as a volunteer. We have an opportunity to reinvent government.
to bring back; revive: to reinvent trust and accountability.

Origin of reinvent

First recorded in 1685–90; re- + invent

Related formsre·in·ven·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for reinvention

Contemporary Examples of reinvention

Over the years, this country has offered many of its immigrant groups a remarkable opportunity for reinvention.
COEXIST’s Bonehead Bumper-Sticker Politics
Michael Schulson
December 21, 2014
After the midterm defeat that year, John Boehner conducted his own reinvention of the Speakership.
The Indispensible Nancy Pelosi
Robert Shrum
March 25, 2014
“This is a product in search of reinvention,” said Matt Towery, an Atlanta-based Republican political consultant.
Sarah Palin’s Battleground Book Tour for ‘Good Tidings and Great Joy’
David Freedlander
November 13, 2013
Now, as they enter the fourth estate and seek its reinvention, I implore them: be bold.
A Challenge to New Media Moguls Pierre Omidyar and Jeff Bezos
Alexander Busansky
November 4, 2013
More importantly, Cher Horowitz taught us the importance of reinvention.
From ‘Mean Girls’ to ‘Clueless’: Pop Culture’s Best Back-to-School-Lessons
Amy Zimmerman
October 1, 2013

Historical Examples of reinvention

Skilled in optics as he was, the reinvention was a task neither long nor difficult for him.
Astronomy
David Todd
After the reinvention we have been surprised to discover that previous generations had used these instruments long before us.
Education: How Old The New
James J. Walsh

British Dictionary definitions for reinvention

reinvent

verb (tr)

to replace (a product, etc) with an entirely new version
to duplicate (something that already exists) in what is therefore a wasted effort (esp in the phrase reinvent the wheel)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for reinvention

1719, from re- + invention.

reinvent

1680s, from re- + invent. Related: Reinvented; reinventing. Phrase reinvent the wheel "do redundant work" attested by 1971.