rejoin

¹ American  

[ree-join] / riˈdʒɔɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to come again into the company of.

   to rejoin a party after a brief absence.

2. to join together again; reunite.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become joined together again.

rejoin ² American  

[ri-join] / rɪˈdʒɔɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to say in answer; reply, especially to counterreply.

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verb (used without object)

1. to answer; reply, especially to counterreply.

   Synonyms:

   retort, respond

2. Law. to answer a plaintiff's replication.

rejoin ¹ British  

/ riːˈdʒɔɪn /

verb

1. to come again into company with (someone or something)

2. (tr) to put or join together again; reunite

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rejoin ² British  

/ rɪˈdʒɔɪn /

verb

1. to say (something) in reply; answer, reply, or retort

2. law to answer (a claimant's reply)

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Etymology

Origin of rejoin¹

First recorded in 1535–45; re- + join

Origin of rejoin²

1425–75; late Middle English rejoinen < Anglo-French rejoyner, variant of Middle French rejoindre, equivalent to re- re- + joindre to join

Explanation

To rejoin is to reunite or reconnect with, the way you rejoin your friends at the amusement park after they get off the terrifying rollercoaster. When you go away from someone and then meet up again, you rejoin them. You can also rejoin a club or organization: "I quit band in sixth grade but decided to rejoin this year." In a courtroom, to rejoin is to respond to a plaintiff's statement — it's sometimes described as a reply to a reply. A less common meaning is "sharp, quick response." When one kindergartener calls another "stinky," she might rejoin, "I know you are, but what am I?"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

rejoin

And that was before future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald announced Sunday that he was ending a two-year retirement to rejoin a team favored to win the Super Bowl.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026

Although Kushner chose not to officially rejoin his father-in-law’s second administration, he is serving, along with Trump’s real estate buddy Steve Witkoff, as its special diplomatic envoy.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026

Traffic travelling westbound is being diverted onto the A326 towards Ashurst Bridge and then onto the A338 to the Ashley Heath roundabout to rejoin the A31.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is considering coming out of retirement to rejoin the team.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

“Tell the boy I am sorry that I will not be with him for his wedding. I will rejoin you in Westeros. That I swear, by my sweet Serra’s hands.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• reunite