What does reunion mean?
A reunion is an event in which people who have been separated come together again, or the process of coming together again. The word is especially common for gatherings of relatives, friends, former classmates, or groups who shared an earlier period of their lives. Such events commonly emphasize renewed acquaintance, shared memories, celebration, and emotional warmth, although the term can also refer more formally to the restoration of an organization, agreement, or relationship. The related verb reunite describes the action of coming back together, while union means a joining more generally. Reunion is distinct from both because it specifically implies a previous separation and a return to connection. Its Latin components are visible in its meaning: the prefix re- indicates repetition, while union refers to the joining of separate things. The word is therefore useful not only for describing social occasions but also for broader situations involving renewed contact, reconciliation, and restored connections.
nounA reunion is a gathering of people who have been separated and are meeting again, especially family members, friends, or former classmates. It can also refer to the act or event of coming together again after a period of separation.
- A gathering of people who have been apart and are meeting again, especially family members, friends, or former classmates.
- The act or process of coming together again after a period of separation.
"The whole family came together for a reunion at their old home."
"The family reunion brought three generations together for an afternoon of stories and laughter."
"The reunion of the two organizations was marked by a formal agreement ending years of conflict."
The plural is formed by adding -s and is used for multiple gatherings or events of this kind.
"Several family reunions are planned throughout the year."
Reunion turns time apart into a moment of shared presence, making familiar places and people feel newly close.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reunion come from?
The English noun derives from French réunion and ultimately from Latin re-, meaning “again,” and ūniō, meaning “oneness” or “union.” It entered English by the late sixteenth century, initially in the sense of a joining or uniting again. Its modern social sense developed naturally from the idea of people coming together after a period of separation.
Related word forms
How reunion is actually used
The word is neutral in register but often carries warm, nostalgic, or celebratory associations when it describes a personal gathering. In political and institutional contexts, it can sound formal and signal the restoration of a former relationship or connection.
Easily confused with reunion
A union is a joining or merging of two or more people, groups, or things, whereas a reunion specifically means coming together again after a separation.
A reunion is a noun naming a gathering or the act of meeting again, while reunite is a verb describing the action of coming together again.