restore

[ri-stawr, -stohr]

verb (used with object)

restored, restoring 

1. to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish.

   to restore order.

2. to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting.

   Synonyms: mend

3. to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.

4. to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc..

   to restore the king to his throne.

   Synonyms: reinstate, replace

5. to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost).

6. to reproduce or reconstruct (an ancient building, extinct animal, etc.) in the original state.

   Synonyms: rebuild

restore

/ rɪˈstɔː /

verb

1. to return (something, esp a work of art or building) to an original or former condition

2. to bring back to health, good spirits, etc

3. to return (something lost, stolen, etc) to its owner

4. to reintroduce or re-enforce

   to restore discipline

5. to reconstruct (an extinct animal, former landscape, etc)

Other Word Forms

• restorable adjective
• restorableness noun
• restorer noun
• quasi-restored adjective
• self-restoring adjective
• unrestorable adjective
• unrestored adjective
• well-restored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of restore¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English restoren, from Old French restorer, from Latin restaurāre; re-, store

Word History and Origins

Origin of restore¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin rēstaurāre to rebuild, from _re- + -staurāre , as in instaurāre to renew

Synonym Study

See renew.

Example Sentences

The Tule River acquisition restores some of the tribe’s sacred homeland, and will enable a host of conservation projects, including protecting the Deer Creek watershed, protecting habitat for California condors and reintroducing tule elk.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He’s smitten at first sight, and after buying it restores it to its former, gleaming glory.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The utility said power would be restored for customers by midnight.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mr Ortberg has previously pledged to "restore trust" in the business, overhaul its corporate culture and prioritise the safety of passengers.

Read more on BBC

It said it had found parts of its infrastructure with connectivity issues, and was working to "reroute affected traffic to restore service health".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bring back www.thesaurus.com
• build up 
• improve 
• modernize 
• rebuild 
• reconstruct 
• recover 
• reestablish www.thesaurus.com
• refurbish 
• rehabilitate 
• reinforce 
• reinstate 
• renew 
• renovate 
• repair 
• replace 
• rescue 
• revitalize 
• revive 
• strengthen