What does reunite mean?
Reunite is a verb meaning to come together again after being separated, or to bring people, groups, or things back into connection. It is especially associated with families and friends who have been apart, as in “the siblings reunited after many years,” but it can also describe reconnecting communities, teams, or divided objects. The word carries a positive, hopeful connotation because it suggests that a separation can be repaired or overcome. Reunite differs from merely meet, since it presupposes an earlier separation or previous connection. It is used in everyday conversation as well as in journalism, formal announcements, and institutional language. The related noun reunification is especially common in political and social contexts, while the standard inflected forms are reunited, reunites, and reuniting.
To come together again after being separated, especially people who have been apart.
"The separated siblings reunited for the family celebration."
Often used with “with” when the person or group being rejoined is named: “reunite with friends.”
To bring separate people, groups, or things back into a connected whole.
"The agreement helped reunite the formerly divided community."
This sense is common in formal, political, and social contexts.
Reunite carries the hopeful idea that separation need not be permanent: people, families, or even divided groups can find their way back together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reunite come from?
Reunite was formed in English with the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and unite, meaning “to join together.” Unite itself comes through French from Latin unire, “to make one,” from the Latin unus, “one.” The prefix re- and the joining idea are both old elements in English, and reunite has long been used both literally for people coming together and figuratively for restoring relationships or connections.
Related word forms
How reunite is actually used
Reunite is neutral in register and is used in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies a previous separation or division and is especially common in references to families, friends, groups, and previously connected things.