English

reunification

gb/ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/ us/ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
C1 English
Senses
0 senses
Noun formal C1 process
1

joining again after separation

when people or things become one group again after being apart

Usage pattern: the reunification of [someone/something] (with [someone/something])
Common mistake:
Often confused with reunion (a meeting after time apart) or unification (joining into one for the first time).
Synonyms
reuniting (More general and less formal; often used as a gerund.) | reconnection (Emphasizes restoring a relationship or link, not necessarily becoming one unit.)
Antonyms
separation (The state or act of being split apart rather than brought back together.) | division (Emphasizes a split into parts or opposing groups.)
Collocations
family reunification |reunification process |reunification plan |reunification efforts |reunification agreement |reunification with |call for reunification |push for reunification |reunification program |reunification ceremony
Themes
relationships |family |society
Examples
  • After years of estrangement, the siblings worked toward reunification.
  • The charity focuses on the reunification of children with their parents after disasters.
  • Therapy played a key role in the couple’s reunification.
Learner examples
  • The reunification of the family took a long time.
  • They hoped for reunification after the war.
Noun formal C1 event
2

political joining of a divided country

when two parts of a country become one country again

Usage pattern: the reunification of [country/region]
Common mistake:
Learners may use reunification when they mean unification (creating one state for the first time) or reunification with (which can sound politically loaded).
Synonyms
remerger (Rare; highlights two entities merging again.) | political reunification (Near-synonym; makes the political sense explicit.)
Antonyms
partition (The act of dividing a territory into separate parts.) | secession (A region breaking away rather than rejoining.)
Collocations
German reunification |national reunification |political reunification |reunification talks |reunification agreement |reunification referendum |reunification negotiations |reunification process |reunification plan |post-reunification
Themes
politics |history |government |international_relations
Examples
  • The reunification of Germany in 1990 reshaped European politics.
  • Leaders discussed the reunification of the island after decades of division.
  • Economic integration was a major challenge after reunification.
Learner examples
  • Many people supported reunification of the country.
  • Reunification changed the capital city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reunification
IPA
GB/ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
US/ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - uni - fic - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 5th syllable (tion)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: reunification
  • Plural: reunification
Expressions

family reunification

1
/fˈæmɪli ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase formal

bringing family members together again

a legal way for family to live together in one country

Examples
  • She applied for family reunification so her children could join her.
  • The new policy makes family reunification faster for refugees.
  • Lawyers helped the couple with a family reunification application.

german reunification

1
/d͡ʒˈɚmən ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase

Germany becoming one country again

the time when East and West Germany became one country in 1990

Examples
  • Many businesses expanded eastward after German reunification.
  • German reunification created major economic differences between regions.
  • She wrote her thesis on migration patterns after German reunification.

national reunification

1
/nˈæʃnəl ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase formal

joining the nation back together

the goal of making a divided country one again

Examples
  • The constitution describes national reunification as a long-term goal.
  • The party campaigned on a platform of national reunification.
  • Opponents argued that national reunification should not be rushed.

peaceful reunification

1
/pˈisfəl ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase formal

reunification without violence

reunification done by agreement, not war

Examples
  • Both sides said they supported peaceful reunification in principle.
  • Diplomats urged a path toward peaceful reunification.
  • The statement rejected force and called for peaceful reunification.

reunification talks

1
/ɹiˌunəfɪkˈeɪʃən tˈɔks/
fixed phrase formal

negotiations about joining again

official meetings to discuss reunification

Examples
  • Reunification talks resumed after months of tension.
  • Both sides set conditions for restarting reunification talks.
  • The minister said reunification talks would take time.

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