readmit

IPA/ˌriːədˈmɪt/
KK[rˌiədmˈɪt]IPA/ˌriːədˈmɪt/

readmit — verb

  • readmitpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • readmitshe / she / it
  • readmittedpast simple
  • readmitting-ing form

1. to take a patient back into hospital so they can receive more treatment after le

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to take a patient back into hospital so they can receive more treatment after leaving

Example

Doctors readmitted Rania after her breathing problems returned overnight.

medical use: patient returns to hospital for treatment

The hospital readmitted Hugo for more tests two days later.

readmit + patient for further tests

Common collocations
  • readmit a patient
  • readmit someone for tests
  • readmit someone overnight
  • readmit someone to hospital
  • be readmitted after discharge
Synonyms
  • admit

    Broader and can describe a first hospital stay, while readmit clearly means taking the patient back.

  • hospitalize

    Focuses on placing someone in hospital, but does not always stress that the stay is a return.

  • take back

    Less formal and much broader; the medical meaning depends on context.

Antonyms
  • discharge

    Used when a hospital allows a patient to leave.

  • release

    More general and slightly less medical than discharge.

Grammar Patterns

readmit + patient

readmit + patient for more treatment

Usage Note

Object is a patient, and the context usually mentions doctors, symptoms, or further treatment. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is specifically about hospital care, not simply being allowed back into a place.

Common Mistakes

The hospital admitted Hugo again after dinner.
The hospital readmitted Hugo after dinner.
Use readmit when a patient returns after already being discharged.

2. to bring a former member or country back into a group after time away from it

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to bring a former member or country back into a group after time away from it

Example

The club readmitted Yael after she cleared her unpaid fees.

readmit + former member to an organization

Members voted to readmit Jabari once his ban had ended.

readmit after a suspension or ban

Common collocations
  • readmit a member
  • readmit a country
  • readmit someone to the union
  • readmit after a vote
  • readmit after suspension
Synonyms
  • reinstate

    More official and often stresses restoring status, rights, or position.

  • reaccept

    A plain way to say accept again, but much less common than readmit.

  • restore

    Broader and often needs a noun like membership or status to sound complete.

Antonyms
  • expel

    Means forcing someone or something out of the group.

  • exclude

    Broader and can mean keeping someone from joining or returning.

Grammar Patterns

readmit + member/country

readmit + object + to an organization

Usage Note

Object is a former member, group, or country, and the action usually follows a review, vote, or completed requirement. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense restores membership status, not just physical entry.

Common Mistakes

The club admitted Yael again this year.
The club readmitted Yael this year.
Readmit shows that she belonged before and is being accepted back.

3. to let someone come back into a building or area after they have gone out

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to let someone come back into a building or area after they have gone out

Example

Security readmitted Rohan after he showed his visitor pass.

readmit after checking a pass

The guard readmitted Sari to the hall after the storm passed.

readmit + person + to a place

Common collocations
  • readmit a visitor
  • readmit someone to the hall
  • readmit through the side door
  • readmit after a check
  • be readmitted to the building
Synonyms
  • let back in

    Everyday and informal, without the official tone of readmit.

  • allow back

    Broad and neutral; it does not always suggest a controlled entrance.

  • admit

    Can mean letting someone in for the first time, so it is less precise than readmit.

Antonyms
  • bar

    Means preventing someone from entering.

  • keep out

    A broader everyday opposite.

Grammar Patterns

readmit + person

readmit + object + to/through + place

Usage Note

Usually used by guards, staff, or rules after someone has stepped out for a short time. Distinguish from sense 1 and sense 2: this sense is about re-entering a place, not hospital treatment or membership.

Common Mistakes

Security admitted the visitors after the rain stopped.
Security readmitted the visitors after the rain stopped.
Use readmit when the people were inside before and are being allowed back.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/3

For sense 3, readmit means letting someone enter a place again after they were already inside before. Admit is broader: it can describe a first entry as well as a return, so it is less exact when the earlier visit matters. Allow is even wider and can refer to permission in many situations, not just controlled entry. Reinstate is different again, because it usually restores a role, right, or membership rather than opening a door. A guard might readmit a visitor after checking a pass. A school might admit new students for the first time. A committee may reinstate a member after a suspension.

readmit ↗admit ↗allow ↗reinstate

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • formally readmit
  • officially readmit

Phrases

  • be readmitted after leaving
  • be readmitted following a review

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Readmit is formed from the English prefix re-, meaning 'again', and admit, a verb that came into English through French from Latin admittere, 'to let in' or 'to send toward'. The modern word keeps the core idea of letting someone in, but adds the idea of return after an earlier stay or membership.

First known use

1535

1535, in the meaning defined above