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refreshment

noun
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re·​fresh·​ment | \ ri-ˈfresh-mənt How to pronounce refreshment (audio) \

Definition of refreshment

1 : the act of refreshing : the state of being refreshed
2a : something (such as food or drink) that refreshes
 b refreshments plural
(1) : a light meal
(2) : assorted light foods

Examples of refreshment in a Sentence

Light refreshments will be served at the meeting. The workers were in need of refreshment. We went camping for relaxation and refreshment.
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Recent Examples on the Web These are merely the most celebrated among the period’s numerous works of comic refreshment. — Washington Post, "My plan for fending off the holiday blues? Escaping into light fiction from another era.," 16 Dec. 2020 Add the gentle refreshment of citrus and bubbly, and that hazy happiness of a southern French holiday is just one short sip away. — Sharyn Jackson, Star Tribune, "Toast the holidays with these 5 festive cocktails you can make at home," 18 Nov. 2020 Also, juicy fruit, decent acidity for refreshment, and a smile to enhance our conversation or dinner. — Washington Post, "This $11 Bordeaux begs for pizza or burgers and will put a smile on your face," 18 Dec. 2020 The third-story loft offers sunset views, while the game room provides a wet refreshment bar. — Dallas News, "Dee Evans lists 24-acre property in McLendon Chisholm," 12 Dec. 2020 Her sister, the flighty Princess Margaret, continues to rage against the constraints of royal propriety, often with the aid of liquid refreshment. — Christina Boyle, Los Angeles Times, "‘The Crown’ through British eyes: ‘Very entertaining’ or ‘a lie with a capital L’?," 4 Dec. 2020 The average of 1,000-plus audience members — about 65% of normal capacity — are divided into 19 sectors with separate refreshment areas and toilets and a small army of ushers ensuring there is no roaming about. — CiarÁn Giles, Star Tribune, "The show goes on at Madrid´s opera house despite pandemic," 21 Nov. 2020 The average of 1,000-plus audience members — about 65% of normal capacity — are divided into 19 sectors with separate refreshment areas and toilets and a small army of ushers ensuring there is no roaming about. — Ciarán Giles, USA TODAY, "'People need music, they need arts': Show goes on at Madrid's opera house despite pandemic," 21 Nov. 2020 Still, refreshment sales were down 20 to 25% in the quarter. — Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, "Hershey: Areas with high coronavirus cases bought more chocolate," 6 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'refreshment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of refreshment

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for refreshment

Time Traveler

The first known use of refreshment was in the 14th century

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Statistics for refreshment

Last Updated

25 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Refreshment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refreshment. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for refreshment

refreshment

noun
How to pronounce refreshment (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of refreshment

: drinks and small amounts of food
: food and drink
: the process of becoming rested and regaining strength or energy

See the full definition for refreshment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

refreshment

noun
re·​fresh·​ment | \ ri-ˈfresh-mənt How to pronounce refreshment (audio) \

Kids Definition of refreshment

: something (as food or drink) that refreshes —often used in pl.

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More from Merriam-Webster on refreshment

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for refreshment

Nglish: Translation of refreshment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of refreshment for Arabic Speakers

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