What does "rerun" mean?
An act or instance of rerunning; a repetition.
Rerun
/ɹiːˈɹʌn/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An act or instance of rerunning; a repetition.
- Grammar: rerun is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: broadcast, commercial, encore, experimental cycle.
- Useful contrasts: disregard, finish, first airing.
- Usage evidence: There was a rerun of the episode last night.
How to use "rerun"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "rerun" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "rerun" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "rerun" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "rerun" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "rerun" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "broadcast" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "rerun", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An act or instance of rerunning; a repetition.
"Even some strong supporters of leaving the UK worry that an early re-run would be doomed to failure."
- 2 a program that is broadcast again wordnet
- 3 A television program shown after its initial presentation, particularly many weeks after its initial presentation; a repeat. US
"I'm not a fan of the new Simpsons episodes, but the old reruns have me in stitches, although I've seen them countless times."
- 4 Another printing run (impression; batch of copies of a given edition) of a book, cartoon, etc.
- 5 A political candidate who holds the same political agenda or doctrine as a past or incumbent holder of a given political office.
Show 1 more definition
- 6 A second or subsequent run of a computer program.
"Each rerun of the algorithm takes several minutes."
Verb
- 1 To run again; to repeat. transitive
"Ms. Hill has rerun those questions in her mind. “If the girls told me they want to stay where they are, I would have to leave them,” she said."
- 2 cause to perform again wordnet
- 3 To broadcast (a television program etc.) again. transitive
"They're still rerunning The Flintstones on this channel."
- 4 broadcast again, as of a film wordnet
- 5 To be broadcast again. intransitive
"Everyone is talking about Lemonade, Beyoncé's new visual album that immediately became a sensation when it debuted on HBO on Saturday night. For those who missed it (and those without a loved one's HBO Go password), Lemonade even reran just before the Game of Thrones' highly anticipated season six premiere on April 24."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 run again for office wordnet
- 7 To run (a race or other contest) again. transitive
"rerun the election"
- 8 rerun a performance of a play, for example wordnet
- 9 To run (a computer program) again. transitive
"Restart the computer and rerun the installation."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"There was a rerun of the episode last night."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "rerun"?
Common synonyms include: broadcast, commercial, encore, experimental cycle, let, newscast.
How do you use "rerun" in a sentence?
There was a rerun of the episode last night.
How do you pronounce "rerun"?
Pronounced /ɹiːˈɹʌn/.
Etymology
From re- + run.