restructure

American  

[ree-struhk-cher] / riˈstrʌk tʃər /

verb (used with object)

restructures, present (3rd person singular) restructured, past participle, past restructuring present participle

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)

restructures, present (3rd person singular) restructured, past participle, past restructuring present participle

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

Derived Forms

• restructurer
  noun
• restructuring
  noun

Inflected Forms

Participles

• restructuring
  present
• restructured
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• restructure
  simple
• restructures
  simple
• have restructured
  perfect
• has restructured
  perfect
• am restructuring
  progressive
• are restructuring
  progressive
• is restructuring
  progressive
• have been restructuring
  perfect progressive
• has been restructuring
  perfect progressive

Past

• restructured
  simple
• had restructured
  perfect
• was restructuring
  progressive
• were restructuring
  progressive
• had been restructuring
  perfect progressive

Future

• will restructure
  simple
• will have restructured
  perfect
• will be restructuring
  progressive
• will have been restructuring
  perfect progressive

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

So far, he has frozen hiring, cut travel and other expenses, and begun a yearlong analysis for commissioners on how best to restructure the county’s finances and organization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 8, 2026

Asha Sharma, who recently took over as Xbox's chief executive, said in a note to staff it was "beginning the most significant restructure in Xbox history".

From BBC • Jul. 6, 2026

Pro-business legal architecture ensured a greater tolerance for business failures than in Europe; Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization is designed to preserve and restructure viable firms, rather than push them into liquidation.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 28, 2026

The automaker is moving forward with plans to restructure amid rising geopolitical tensions, intense competitive pressure and growing trade barriers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 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