restore

verb re·store \ ri-ˈstȯr \

Definition of restore

restored; restoring

transitive verb

1 :give back, return

2 :to put or bring back into existence or use

3 :to bring back to or put back into a former or original state :renew

4 :to put again in possession of something

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restorer

noun

See restore defined for English-language learners

See restore defined for kids

Examples of restore in a Sentence

The police restored law and order.
The government needs to restore confidence in the economy.
an antique car that is being carefully restored

Recent Examples of restore from the Web

The junta clamped down on political activity after seizing power three years ago following a period of unrest, pledging to restore stability.

— sunil jagtiani, Bloomberg.com, "Thailand on Edge Ahead of Verdict Against Former Prime Minister," 24 Aug. 2017
Order was restored again and, an inning later, and with the Comerica Park crowd on its feet, the former Yankee pitcher Shane Greene struck out Sanchez for the final out.

— billy witz, New York Times, "Punches and Ejections Mar a Yankees Loss in Detroit," 24 Aug. 2017
On 1 January 2017, when an initial deadline expired, Elsevier subscriptions lapsed at more than 60 institutions, although Elsevier restored access in February, while talks continued.

— gretchen vogel, Science | AAAS, "A bold open-access push in Germany could change the future of academic publishing," 23 Aug. 2017
The center’s mission is to rebuild the lives of at-risk children and their families through education, healing, restoring relationships, building character and instilling hope.

— nicole miller-coleman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Good things for Oak Grove Center," 20 Aug. 2017
The governor also said the reductions in educational grants would enable the state to restore $40 million in funding to private nonprofit health and human service providers, such as those helping the mentally handicapped and the elderly.

— gregory b. hladky, courant.com, "Malloy School Aid Cuts Shock Local Officials," 19 Aug. 2017
After 9/11 wreaked havoc on their New York neighborhood, Tribeca, film producer Jane Rosenthal and actor Robert De Niro hatched a plan to restore the area's vibrancy.

— christine kopaczewski, Good Housekeeping, "Meet 2017 Awesome Women Awards Honoree, Jane Rosenthal," 14 Aug. 2017
By 8:30 p.m., 40 of 79 customers had power restored as repair work continued.

— robert moran, Philly.com, "11 firefighters suffer carbon monoxide poisoning in West Chester," 9 Aug. 2017
The booms of the 1990s and early 2000s never came close to restoring the high employment rates last seen in the 1970s.

— edward l. glaeser, National Review, "The War on Work — and How to End It," 1 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'restore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of restore

Middle English, from Anglo-French restorer, from Latin restaurare to renew, rebuild, alteration of instaurare to renew

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

restore Synonyms

Synonyms

freshen, recharge, recreate, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, repair, renew, resuscitate, revitalize, revive, revivify

Related Words

make over, overhaul, reclaim, recondition, reconstitute, redesign, redevelop, redo, reengineer, refurbish, rehab, rehabilitate, remake, remodel, renovate; refill, replenish, resupply; modernize, update

Near Antonyms

remove, take

Synonym Discussion of restore

renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate mean to make like new. renew implies a restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated so that it seems like new.

- efforts to renew the splendor of the old castle

restore implies a return to an original state after depletion or loss.

- restored a fine piece of furniture

refresh implies the supplying of something necessary to restore lost strength, animation, or power.

- a refreshing drink

renovate suggests a renewing by cleansing, repairing, or rebuilding.

- the apartment has been entirely renovated

rejuvenate suggests the restoration of youthful vigor, powers, or appearance.

- the change in jobs rejuvenated her spirits

RESTORE Defined for English Language Learners

restore

verb

Definition of restore for English Language Learners

: to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : to return (someone or something)
: to put or bring (something) back into existence or use
: to return (something) to an earlier or original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.