restart

verb

re·​start (ˌ)rē-ˈstärt How to pronounce restart (audio)
restarted; restarting; restarts
Synonyms of restartnext

transitive verb

1
: to start anew
2
: to resume (something, such as an activity) after interruption

intransitive verb

: to resume operation
restartable adjective

Examples of restart in a Sentence

They plan to restart negotiations next week. The tournament will restart tomorrow.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
So if the strait is poised to reopen soon, and oil fields and facilities in the Gulf region haven't been damaged too severely and can restart production within a few weeks … well, then, prices shouldn't go crazy at all. Camila Domonoske, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026 The National Nuclear Security Administration recently restarted uranium purification at the Y-12 National Security Complex using a new electrorefining process. Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026 In recent months, city leaders have taken more steps to restart the discussion of the stadium’s future, including approaching the state about development under the Surplus Land Act. Victoria Le, Oc Register, 26 Mar. 2026 It may have been abandoned mid-draft or rewritten ten times over, or restarted in half a dozen places. Jd Barker, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restart

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restart was in 1749

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Restart.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restart. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

restart

verb
re·​start rē-ˈstärt How to pronounce restart (audio)
1
: to start anew
restarted the car
2
a
: to resume (as an activity) after an interruption
will restart the game
b
: to resume operation
the rides will restart after one hour
restart
ˈrē-ˌstärt
noun

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