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

Endangered Central California coast coho salmon are returning to Central California's Russian River after decades of absence – an indicator of river restoration. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

The supremacy of filmmaking craft on display here is what makes Janus’ restoration so worthy of celebration. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026

And many of the great watchmakers first honed their expertise in restoration workshops. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 22 Apr. 2026

The Boyd window has undergone conservation in the past, including restoration work in the 1990s to address deteriorating elements. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 21 Apr. 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