reinstate

verb

re·​in·​state ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt How to pronounce reinstate (audio)
reinstated; reinstating

transitive verb

1
: to place again (as in possession or in a former position)
2
: to restore to a previous effective state
reinstatement noun

Examples of reinstate in a Sentence

After his name was cleared, he was reinstated as committee chairperson. The school board voted to reinstate the school's uniform policy. the year the death penalty was reinstated
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 board made the decision regarding Griffith’s pending termination after a meeting where dozens of parents passionately voiced their support for her, either in person or by calling in, and urged the district to reinstate her. Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 Judge Casey Fitch ordered the case dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could be reinstated if the plaintiffs seek to revive it. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 July 2025 Some commenters said both Horn and Conrad should be reinstated to their prior jobs at Century. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 30 July 2025 The executive order comes two days after the federal Court of International Trade declined to reinstate the de minimis exemption for Chinese and Hong Kong imports—but a separate legal challenge is still up for appeal in federal court. Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for reinstate

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reinstate was in 1616

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reinstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinstate. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

reinstate

verb
re·​in·​state ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt How to pronounce reinstate (audio)
reinstated; reinstating
: to place again in a former position or condition
reinstate an official
reinstatement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on reinstate

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!