restoration

noun

res·​to·​ra·​tion ˌre-stə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: an act of restoring or the condition of being restored: such as

a

: a bringing back to a former position or condition : reinstatement

the restoration of peace

b

: restitution

c

: a restoring to an unimpaired or improved condition

the restoration of a painting

d

: the replacing of missing teeth or crowns

2

: something that is restored

especially : a representation or reconstruction of the original form (as of a fossil or a building)

3

Restoration

a

: the reestablishing of the monarchy in England in 1660 under Charles II

b

: the period in English history usually held to coincide with the reign of Charles II but sometimes to extend through the reign of James II

Examples of restoration in a Sentence

The building is undergoing restoration.

the restoration of peace after war

the restoration of law and order by the police

The town called for a restoration of the law.

Recent Examples on the Web

And Thursday’s restoration of funding is temporary, pending a ruling on the feds’ motions in the Second Circuit — a reality acknowledged by the GDC on Thursday. —Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026

Most examples will have received a comprehensive restoration by this time, a serious undertaking that can well exceed the cost of a convertible in concourse condition, which is worth about $500,000. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026

Additional improvements will be new paths along Randall Road, storm sewer installation, traffic signal modifications, intersection lighting, roadway resurfacing and landscape restoration. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

The move, however, came after layoffs at HHS’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the whipsaw cancellation and restoration of $2 billion in funding for its programs in January. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English restoracioun, restoracion, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin restaurātiōn-, restaurātiō "renewal, restoration of a condition," from restaurāre "to return to its former condition, restore" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for restoration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

restoration

noun

res·​to·​ra·​tion ˌres-tə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: an act of restoring or the condition of being restored

2

: something (as a building) that has been restored

Medical Definition

restoration

noun

res·​to·​ra·​tion ˌres-tə-ˈrā-shən 

: the act of restoring or the condition of being restored: as

a

: a returning to a normal or healthy condition

b

: the replacing of missing teeth or crowns

also : a dental replacement (as a denture) used for restoration