reseal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowNeutral, with slight technical leaning in packaging/consumer goods contexts.
Quick answer
What does “reseal” mean?
To seal (a container, envelope, etc.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To seal (a container, envelope, etc.) again after it has been opened.
To close something securely again after initial use; figuratively, to restore an airtight or secure condition, as in reestablishing a treaty or agreement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. Usage is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral functional term in both. Associated with convenience, freshness, and practicality.
Frequency
Similar low frequency in both, slightly increased in marketing/packaging language (e.g., 'resealable bag').
Grammar
How to Use “reseal” in a Sentence
[Subject] reseals [Object][Object] is resealed (by [Subject])reseal [Object] with [Instrument]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “reseal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Remember to reseal the biscuit tin properly.
- The courier resealed the parcel after inspection.
- You can reseal the envelope with a bit of glue.
American English
- Make sure to reseal the chip bag with a clip.
- They had to reseal the jar after taking a sample.
- The treaty was amended and resealed by both parties.
adverb
British English
- The bag closed resealably, but not perfectly.
American English
- The package was designed to open and close resealably.
adjective
British English
- Look for a bag with a resealable zip-lock.
- The container features a clever reseal mechanism.
American English
- This product comes in a resealable pouch.
- We need a reseal lid for this storage tub.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In packaging, logistics, and product design (e.g., 'resealable closure').
Academic
Rare, possibly in historical/document conservation contexts.
Everyday
Common in kitchen/food storage contexts (e.g., 'reseal the bag to keep crisps fresh').
Technical
Used in packaging engineering, food science, and preservation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “reseal”
- Misspelling as 'resea*l' (confusion with 'seal' the animal).
- Using 'reseal' for something that was never sealed initially (e.g., 'reseal a new jar').
- Incorrect stress: placing primary stress on first syllable (RE-seal) instead of the second (re-SEAL).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word (reseal), though historically it may have been hyphenated (re-seal). The one-word form is standard in modern dictionaries.
Primarily for physical containers, but it can be used figuratively for agreements, documents, or treaties, meaning to formally confirm or close them again.
'Close' is general. 'Reseal' specifically implies restoring a secure, often airtight or tamper-evident closure that existed before an initial opening.
The action is 'resealing' (gerund/noun). A product feature is a 'resealability' or 'resealable closure'.
To seal (a container, envelope, etc.
Reseal is usually neutral, with slight technical leaning in packaging/consumer goods contexts. in register.
Reseal: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈsiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈsil/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Reseal the deal (rare, figurative)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think RE-SEAL: like a SEAL on a letter, you put it back (RE) on after opening.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRESERVATION IS CONTAINMENT; MAINTAINING FRESHNESS IS KEEPING A BARRIER.
Practice
Quiz
Which scenario BEST illustrates the meaning of 'reseal'?