From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishrestorere‧store /rɪˈstɔː $ -ɔːr/ ●●○ W3 AWL verb [transitive] 1 former situationAGAIN to make something return to its former state or conditionrestore something to something The government promises to restore the economy to full strength. She was hoping that the Mediterranean climate would restore her to full health. The National Guard was called in to restore order (=make people stop fighting and breaking the law) when riots broke out. initiatives to restore peace in the Middle Eastrestore (diplomatic) relations with somebody Vietnam restored diplomatic relations with South Korea on December 22.restore somebody’s sight/hearing (=make someone who cannot hear or who is blind, hear or see again)2 GIVEpositive feeling to bring back a positive feeling that a person or a group of people felt before measures aimed at restoring public confidence in the education system a man whose kindness and sincerity really restored my faith in human nature (=helped me to believe that people can be good)3 repairREPAIR to repair an old building, piece of furniture, or painting etc so that it is in its original condition The church was carefully restored after the war. a Victorian fireplace restored to its former glory► see thesaurus at repair4 give something back formalGIVE to give back to someone something that was lost or taken from them SYN returnrestore something to somebody The treaty restored Okinawa to Japan.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that someone gives something back to its former owner, rather than restores it:The treaty gave Okinawa back to Japan.5 bring back a lawSCLP to bring back a law, tax, right etc a campaign to restore the death penalty6 → restore somebody to power/the throne→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
restore• The earlier restrictions on currency exchange have now been restored.• He spent almost three years restoring a 1922 Rolls Royce.• The building has been carefully restored after the fire.• Power was restored at 5: 21 a. m., LaFaver said.• She's restoring her grandmother's antique dresser.• Small sums of money, but the hope they can restore is priceless.• In 1905 both Japan and Russia agreed to restore Manchuria to China.• The utility company is still working to restore power supplies in rural areas.• Surgeons at nearby Stoke Mandeville Hospital were able to put it back on and have restored some movement.• The amount used to restore the income account is, however, no longer the same item as the income originally borrowed.• Experts are still working to restore the painting.• You can also create one of these compressed archives that can be moved to another computer and restored there.• After decades of colonial rule, and the land was finally restored to its rightful owners.• It is hoped brown trout will be restored to the Darenth before 2000.restore (diplomatic) relations with somebody• The announcement led to speculation that the Soviet government was intending to restore diplomatic relations with El Salvador.restoring ... confidence• Encouraging developments are gradually restoring self confidence and optimism.• The move is aimed at restoring public confidence following the breakdown of the computer emergency 999 call system.• I had the immense and delicate task of restoring confidence in Kambawe.• The probe was aimed at restoring public confidence in the service, she said.restored to its former glory• But now it's hoped that Longfords may be restored to its former glory.• Outside, the orchard has been restored to its former glory.restore something to somebody• Many works of art looted by the Nazis have been restored to their original owners.From Longman Business Dictionaryrestorere‧store /rɪˈstɔː-ɔːr/ verb [transitive]1to make something return to its former level or conditionThe government’s first task will be to restore the economy.restore something to somethinga bid to restore the company to profitability2to make a situation or feeling exist againWithout fundamental reforms, the profitability of the banking system will not be restored.Hoping to restore investor confidence, the company replaced the head of its credit unit.3to give something back, especially money that is owedThe government agreed to restore an estimated $120 million that had been cut from the Energy Department budget.→ See Verb tableOrigin restore (1200-1300) Old French restorer, from Latin restaurare “to renew, rebuild” 