reintegration
ree-in-tih-GRAY-shun
/ˌriːɪntɪˈɡreɪʃən/
The action or process of integrating someone back into society.
Usually refers to the process of former prisoners or soldiers returning to civilian life and becoming productive members of the community.
The story behind the word. The root 'integer' means 'whole' or 'untouched.' To reintegrate is to make someone 'whole again' with the rest of society, rather than leaving them as a broken or separate piece.
Word relationships
- rehabilitation: Rehabilitation is the process of healing or training; reintegration is the actual act of re-entering society.
- assimilation: Assimilation often implies losing one's original identity to fit in; reintegration is just about becoming a functioning part of the whole again.
- alienation: Alienation is the state of being isolated or detached from society.
- ostracism: Ostracism is the active exclusion of someone from a group.
Commonly confused with
- incarceration: Incarceration is the act of putting someone in prison; reintegration is the act of bringing them out and back into society.
Word family
- reintegrate (verb): To integrate back into a whole.
Collocations
- social reintegration
- reintegration program
- successful reintegration
Example sentences
- "Successful reintegration of former offenders is the best way to reduce crime in the long term." Criminal Justice
- "The program helps veterans with their reintegration into the civilian workforce." Military
Memory hook
RE-INTEGRATE: To make someone part of the 'integrity' of the whole again. Back into the fold.
When not to use
Do not use for simple 'joining'; it implies a previous separation or exclusion.
Fun facts
- The word 'integer' in math (a whole number) comes from the same root—it's a number that hasn't been broken into fractions.
Related words
Explore more words
rehabilitation, rehabilitate, reconciliation, repatriation, demobilize, integrate
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