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
ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt-mənt How to pronounce reinstate (audio)
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.
House Republicans voted last year to reinstate the 2020 rule, though the legislation remains pending in the Senate. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026 Texas Christian University has changed its position and decided to reinstate press credentials for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after pulling them last week, just days before the team got their season underway. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 One week later, it was confirmed that the Biennale had reinstated the pavilion as the Taiwan Pavilion, the designation the Chinese delegation is now protesting. — News Desk, Artforum, 4 Sep. 2026 McFadden’s denial of the temporary restraining orders is a setback for Slavin, Lederer and Korte, who sought to be reinstated to their positions. — Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for reinstate

See All Rhymes for reinstate

Browse Nearby Words

reinstall
reinstate
reinstatement
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Cite this Entry

“Reinstate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinstate. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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
-mənt How to pronounce reinstate (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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