reentry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “reentry” mean?
The action or process of entering again.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or process of entering again.
The act of returning to a place, situation, or sphere of activity from which one was absent. In law, the act of retaking possession of land. In aerospace, the return of a spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English more commonly uses the hyphenated spelling 're-entry'. American English strongly prefers the closed form 'reentry' (e.g., CMOS, Merriam-Webster). The British spelling is occasionally seen in American legal contexts.
Connotations
Connotations are largely identical across dialects, tied to the specific context (e.g., space, law, social).
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English due to prominence of space program terminology ('atmospheric reentry'). In both dialects, common in legal, business, and aerospace contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “reentry” in a Sentence
The reentry of [ENTITY] into [DOMAIN/PLACE]Apply for reentry to [COUNTRY]Deny someone reentryVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reentry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The spacecraft will re-enter the atmosphere at 20:00 GMT.
- He needed a visa to re-enter the country.
American English
- The capsule is scheduled to reenter over the Pacific.
- After deportation, she was barred from reentering the US.
adverb
British English
- The module flew re-entry, protected by its shield.
- (Rarely used as a standalone adverb.)
American English
- (Rarely used as a standalone adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The re-entry module separated successfully.
- He faced re-entry problems after his sabbatical.
American English
- The reentry vehicle was heavily shielded.
- The reentry program helps former inmates.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a company reentering a market it previously left. 'The firm's reentry into the Asian sector surprised analysts.'
Academic
Used in sociology (e.g., prisoner reentry), law, and physics. 'The study focuses on post-incarceration reentry challenges.'
Everyday
Can describe returning to work after a long break or to social life after isolation. 'Her reentry into the dating scene was daunting.'
Technical
Primarily aerospace: the return of a spacecraft, capsule, or meteoroid into a planetary atmosphere. 'The spacecraft's heat shield is critical for reentry.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reentry”
- Misspelling: 're-entry' (UK) vs. 'reentry' (US). Consistency within a text is key.
- Using it for trivial, informal returns (e.g., 'my reentry into the kitchen to get my phone' is overly formal).
- Confusing with 'reintroduction' (bringing something back into use by others) vs. 'reentry' (self-returning).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Reentry' is a more formal, specific subset of 'return'. It often implies a structured, official, or challenging process of returning to a system, atmosphere, or jurisdiction from which one was formally absent (e.g., market, country, Earth's atmosphere). 'Return' is general.
Follow your style guide. American English (APA, Chicago) typically uses 'reentry'. British English (Oxford) prefers 're-entry'. The hyphenated form is becoming less common globally, except in UK publications.
Yes, notably in 'prisoner reentry' or 'reentry programs', referring to the process of reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into society.
No, 'reentry' is a noun. The verb form is 'reenter' (or 're-enter'). Example: 'The module will reenter' (verb) vs. 'The reentry was successful' (noun).
The action or process of entering again.
Reentry is usually formal / technical in register.
Reentry: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈɛntri/, and in American English it is pronounced /riˈɛntri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Make a successful reentry”
- “A reentry into the public eye”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an astronaut's capsule RE-ENTERing the atmosphere: RE-ENTRY.
Conceptual Metaphor
RETURNING IS REENTERING A CONTAINER/SPACE (e.g., reentering the job market, reentering society).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'reentry' MOST specifically and technically defined?