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

Of those, glyphosate is one of the few reasonably priced, effective and, many argue, comparatively safe herbicides that land managers can rely on for restoration work. — Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Increasingly, pressures including climate change, fires and the proliferation of invasive species have continued to negatively impact the region, according to the NPS, despite ongoing conservation and restoration efforts. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Its incredible restoration under a charismatic Italian priest, his tragic disappearance and presumed death during the Syrian civil war, and the inspiring interfaith work of the monastery's remaining monks and nuns all fascinated me. — Emily Feng, NPR, 8 July 2026

The Coral Reef Foundation, another restoration group, moved 246 corals — all elkhorn and staghorn — to facilities on land. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 8 July 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