restore

verb

re·​store ri-ˈstȯr How to pronounce restore (audio)
restored; restoring

transitive verb

1
2
: to put or bring back into existence or use
3
: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state : renew
4
: to put again in possession of something
restorer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for restore

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new.

renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

Examples of restore in a Sentence

The police restored law and order. The government needs to restore confidence in the economy. an antique car that is being carefully restored
Recent Examples on the Web The actors swap places, and once reality-of-a-sort is restored, Olfa begins to cry. Amy Nicholson, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 If the National Basketball Association and its Players Association are unable to agree on raising the age limit for players, consider restoring the freshman ineligibility rule in men’s basketball. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 As a result of Henry ending the subsidies, among other reforms, the I.M.F.’s confidence in Haiti was seemingly being restored. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2024 Today, lawyers are debating about how Tusk should reform the judiciary to restore the balance of power among Poland’s three branches of government. Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 It has been used to suggest that the expression of four genes, not previously linked to heart disease, should be inhibited in order to help restore health to diseased heart cells. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 The outages were first reported at 9:11 p.m. and the power was estimated to be restored by 12:15 a.m. Sunday. Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 10 Mar. 2024 UnitedHealthcare will offer funding to medical providers based on the company's estimates of what they're owed for care provided, and those payments will be reconciled when services are restored, McMahon said. Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 9 Mar. 2024 While electricity for residents has been restored, Tesla is still without power and the company has said that the damage cause by the outage is in the millions. Kirsten Grieshaber, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'restore.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French restorer, from Latin restaurare to renew, rebuild, alteration of instaurare to renew

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restore was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near restore

Cite this Entry

“Restore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restore. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

restore

verb
re·​store ri-ˈstō(ə)r How to pronounce restore (audio)
-ˈstȯ(ə)r
restored; restoring
1
: return entry 1 sense 5
restored the purse to its owner
2
: to put or bring back into existence or use
restore harmony after an argument
3
: to bring back to or put back into an earlier or original state
restore an old house
4
: to put again in possession of something
restore the king to the throne
restorable
-ˈstōr-ə-bəl
-ˈstȯr-
adjective
restorer noun

Medical Definition

restore

transitive verb
restored; restoring
: to bring back to or put back into a former or original state
a tooth restored with an inlay

More from Merriam-Webster on restore

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!