What does reunification mean?
Reunification is the process of bringing together parts that have previously been divided, especially a country or territory, and restoring them to a single political or administrative unit. It usually carries a historical and political connotation, as in German reunification in 1990. The word can refer either to the process itself or to the resulting unity: “Negotiations led to reunification.” In less formal contexts, it may describe the reuniting of departments, organizations, or communities that had operated separately. Reunification is especially associated with the end of political division and often implies significant legal, institutional, and social change, not merely a temporary gathering of people.
nounThe act of bringing people, groups, countries, or parts that had previously been separated back together as one political, social, or administrative unit.
- The process or result of restoring unity to a country, organization, or other previously divided entity.
"The reunification of Germany in 1990 followed decades of division."
"The treaty paved the way for the reunification of Germany."
"The reunification of the two departments was completed after years of administrative disputes."
Plural form used for separate instances of the process or result.
"The reunifications of divided states were among the major political changes of the decade."
Reunification turns a once-divided map into a single political story—most famously in Germany in 1990.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reunification come from?
Reunification is formed from the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and unification, a noun derived from unify. The underlying Latin root unus means “one,” giving English words such as unity, unanimous, and uniform. Reunification entered English in the 19th century and became especially prominent in political language during the 20th century.
Related word forms
How reunification is actually used
The word is most often used in political or historical contexts and can refer either to the process or to its completed result. It is also used more broadly for the restoration of unity within organizations or communities.
Easily confused with reunification
A reunion is typically a meeting or gathering of people who have been separated, whereas reunification usually describes the formal process of restoring a political or territorial division to unity.