reinstate

1 of 2

verb

re·​in·​state ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt 

reinstated; reinstating

transitive verb

1

: to place again (as in possession or in a former position)

2

: to restore to a previous effective state

reinstatement

ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt-mənt 

noun

reinstatement

2 of 2

noun

re·​instatement "+ 

1

a

: the action of reinstating (as in a post or position formerly held but relinquished)

reinstatement of the postmaster

reinstatement to amateur status of a tennis star turned professional

b

: the action of replacing or restoring the effectiveness of (as something damaged, worn out, or lapsed)

the cost of reinstatement may exceed the market value of the whole farm

—Country Life

especially : the action of restoring an insurance policy to its previous status or amount after it has been reduced by the payment of a claim or allowed to lapse

2

: the state or condition of being reinstated

his reinstatement in popular favor quickly followed

Examples of reinstate in a Sentence

Verb

After his name was cleared, he was reinstated as committee chairperson.

The school board voted to reinstate the school's uniform policy.

the year the death penalty was reinstated

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

House Republicans voted last year to reinstate the 2020 rule, though the legislation remains pending in the Senate. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Texas Christian University has changed its position and decided to reinstate press credentials for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after pulling them last week, just days before the team got their season underway. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

One week later, it was confirmed that the Biennale had reinstated the pavilion as the Taiwan Pavilion, the designation the Chinese delegation is now protesting. — News Desk, Artforum, 4 Sep. 2026

McFadden’s denial of the temporary restraining orders is a setback for Slavin, Lederer and Korte, who sought to be reinstated to their positions. — Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

reinstate + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reinstate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

reinstate

verb

re·​in·​state ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt 

reinstated; reinstating

: to place again in a former position or condition

reinstate an official

reinstatement

-mənt 

noun