reinstate

1 of 2

verb

re·​in·​state ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt 

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 

noun

reinstatement

2 of 2

noun

re·​instatement "+ 

1

a

: the action of reinstating (as in a post or position formerly held but relinquished)

reinstatement of the postmaster

reinstatement to amateur status of a tennis star turned professional

b

: the action of replacing or restoring the effectiveness of (as something damaged, worn out, or lapsed)

the cost of reinstatement may exceed the market value of the whole farm

—Country Life

especially : the action of restoring an insurance policy to its previous status or amount after it has been reduced by the payment of a claim or allowed to lapse

2

: the state or condition of being reinstated

his reinstatement in popular favor quickly followed

Examples of reinstate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

In May, a federal appeals court granted Louisiana’s request to reinstate a nationwide requirement that mifepristone be dispensed in person. — Aria Bendix, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2026

The judge ruled that the union was likely to succeed on the merits of its argument that the BOP had violated the Administrative Procedure Act by terminating the collective bargaining agreement and ordered the bureau to reinstate it immediately. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Buehler had opened the series on the paternity list before getting reinstated on Monday. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

The museum’s original red-brick entrance, dating back to 1945, will be reinstated. — News Desk, Artforum, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

reinstate + -ment

First Known Use

Verb

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reinstate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

reinstate

verb

re·​in·​state ˌrē-ən-ˈstāt 

reinstated; reinstating

: to place again in a former position or condition

reinstate an official

reinstatement

-mənt 

noun