perestroika

[ per-uh-stroi-kuh; Russian pyi-ryi-stroi-kuh ]

noun

1. Russian. the program of economic and political reform in the Soviet Union initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986.

perestroika

/ ˌpɛrəˈstrɔɪkə /

noun

1. the policy of reconstructing the economy, etc, of the former Soviet Union under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachov

Word History and Origins

Origin of perestroika¹

From the Russian word perestróĭka literally, rebuilding, reorganization

Word History and Origins

Origin of perestroika¹

C20: Russian, literally: reconstruction

Example Sentences

It was the era of glasnost and perestroika.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than reconstructing lives, Mikhail Gorbachev’s perestroika had undermined many of them; economic “shock therapy” was therapeutic only for some.

From Seattle Times

His restructuring and openness — perestroika and glasnost — of the late 1980s led to the dismantling of the Soviet Union and, peacefully and fleetingly, brought a divided Europe together in liberty.

From New York Times

And after perestroika everything changed: Girls became dolls.”

From New York Times

As Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev began the fateful era of “perestroika,” or restructuring, in the late 1980s, Mr. Strougal followed suit with efforts to lessen state controls on the Czechoslovak economy.

From Washington Post