restructure

American  

[ree-struhk-cher] / riˈstrʌk tʃər /

verb (used with object)

restructured, restructuring

1. to change, alter, or restore the structure of.

   to restructure a broken nose.

2. to effect a fundamental change in (as an organization or system).

3. to recombine (bits of inexpensive meats), especially by mechanical means, into simulated steaks, fillets, etc.

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verb (used without object)

restructured, restructuring

1. to restructure something.

noun

1. the act or an instance of restructuring.

restructure British  

/ riːˈstrʌktʃə /

verb

1. (tr) to organize (a system, business, society, etc) in a different way

   radical attempts to restructure the economy

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Other Word Forms

• restructurer noun
• restructuring noun

Etymology

Origin of restructure

First recorded in 1940–45; re- + structure

Explanation

When you restructure something, you organize it in a different way so it’ll work better, like a practice schedule a coach restructures to get in more morning sessions before a big game. The verb restructure often refers to a company that is changing the way it operates in order to be more efficient. In many cases, this means laying off employees, closing locations, or working with creditors to change the speed at which debt is repaid. The goal of this kind of restructuring is for the company to stay in business through a rough time in its history.

Example Sentences

They can adjust taxes, change benefits, restructure obligations, and crucially, borrow over long time horizons.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Wheatley's expected departure amounts to the third management restructure at Audi F1 in less than two years.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

FAT Brands hired advisers to restructure its debt outside bankruptcy but filed for chapter 11 shortly after a Jefferies Financial Group subsidiary sued the company for allegedly defaulting.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

But in an email, Garver told me she’s looked more closely at Isaacman’s restructure of Artemis and thinks he’s “off to an excellent start.”

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

Hoover wanted the new investigation to be a showcase for his bureau, which he had continued to restructure.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• reconstruct
• reshuffle
• revamp