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

Halsing has been overseeing pond restoration at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which spans 15,000 acres. —Sooji Nam, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

Things like supporting ecosystem restoration, cultural preservation and local economies in ways that create lasting positive change. —Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025

That was changed with the only restoration Bonhams mentions, one undertaken by the National Motor Museum. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2025

The nearly $10 million in state funding will help nonprofits and universities across the state scale up their restoration efforts — both onshore and offshore. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025

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