What does readmitting mean?
Readmitting means admitting someone or something again, usually after that person or thing has previously been excluded, removed, withdrawn, or otherwise made ineligible. The word is especially common in institutional and administrative settings, such as hospitals, schools, courts, workplaces, and membership organizations. For example, a hospital may readmit a patient after an earlier discharge, or a university may readmit a student whose enrollment was temporarily withdrawn. Unlike admitting, which can describe a general or first-time acceptance, readmitting specifically emphasizes a return or second admission. The word is therefore often associated with reinstatement, reconsideration, and the restoration of access or status. Although the form ending in -ing can function as a participle in a sentence, it is also used as a gerund-like noun phrase referring to the process itself.
verbTo admit someone or something again, especially after a previous exclusion, departure, or period of ineligibility.
- The act of admitting someone or something again, especially after a previous exclusion, departure, or period of ineligibility.
"The university is readmitting students whose applications were withdrawn during the administrative review."
"The hospital is readmitting the patient after tests showed that the earlier discharge was premature."
"The committee readmitted the former member after the misconduct allegations were dismissed."
Readmitting carries a second chance in its very structure: the prefix re- signals a return, while admit restores access to a place, institution, or status.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does readmitting come from?
Readmitting is formed from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and the verb admit, meaning “to allow to enter” or “to accept.” The base verb admits has roots in the Latin admittere, from ad- (“to” or “toward”) and mittere, meaning “to send.” The prefixed form readmit developed with the meaning “to admit again,” and readmitting is its present participle and gerund form.
Related word forms
How readmitting is actually used
Common in formal, institutional, legal, educational, medical, and administrative contexts. It often implies a prior removal, exclusion, or withdrawal rather than an ordinary first admission.
Easily confused with readmitting
Admitting means allowing someone or something to enter or become part of a group for the first time or in general, whereas readmitting means allowing or accepting someone who was previously excluded or had left.