restorative

American  

[ri-stawr-uh-tiv, -stohr-] / rɪˈstɔr ə tɪv, -ˈstoʊr- /

adjective

1. serving to restore; pertaining to restoration.

2. capable of renewing health or strength.

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noun

1. a restorative agent, means, or the like.

2. a means of restoring a person to consciousness.

   Smelling salts serve as a restorative.

restorative British  

/ rɪˈstɒrətɪv /

adjective

1. tending to revive or renew health, spirits, etc

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noun

1. anything that restores or revives, esp a drug or agent that promotes health or strength

Other Word Forms

• nonrestorative adjective
• unrestorative adjective

Etymology

Origin of restorative

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English restoratif (adjective and noun), from Middle French restauratif, from Latin restaurāt(us) (past participle of restaurāre “to rebuild, repair”; restore ) + Middle French -if -ive

Example Sentences

Immersive dreams may also help maintain a sense of separation from the external environment, which is a key feature of restorative sleep, even while parts of the brain remain active.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

One pathway toward restorative justice, he said, is that "all the looted artifacts are returned to the motherland."

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Advocating for forgiveness and restorative justice has become her daughter's legacy, she says.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2026

“Everything I’m seeing out here tells me this is ecologically beneficial and restorative and these fires are bringing something back into the system that was missing for over a century.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

As one of the nation’s foremost experts on restorative justice, she was the one people turned to in situations like this, situations where healing seemed possible.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater