restoration

noun

res·​to·​ra·​tion ˌre-stə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce restoration (audio)
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
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
capitalized
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
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.
The great danger of that moment was that a political backlash — abetted by a furious media and timorous politicians — would lead to a restoration of the policy of Roe. The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025 Anchoring the Cité, the medieval old town laid over Celtic and Roman settlements, the Gothic Cathedral, for which the master 19th-century French architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc conducted restorations, this year celebrates its 750th anniversary. John Oseid, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 The technical restoration proved complex, with materials sourced from both Mumbai warehouses and London’s Iron Mountain facility. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 June 2025 Note: Data is not available after early April, but restorations have slowed significantly since then. Amy Schoenfeld Walker, New York Times, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for restoration

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of restoration was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Restoration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restoration. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

restoration

noun
res·​to·​ra·​tion ˌres-tə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce restoration (audio)
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 How to pronounce restoration (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!