refreshment

noun

re·​fresh·​ment ri-ˈfresh-mənt 

1

: the act of refreshing : the state of being refreshed

2

a

: 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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of restricting audiences to three-hour events in a single auditorium, the staff plan to invite guests to explore the rest of the building and mingle over refreshments in its vast hallways. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

Quinta da Lixa Alvarinho Reserva, $16 A strong entry point that shows what happens when Vinho Verde is built with structure and longevity in mind, not just immediate refreshment. —Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

BlackLine added two new directors in June and July of 2025, which the company will undoubtedly argue is evidence of good corporate governance and board refreshment. —Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026

The company last year announced plans to split its refreshment beverage and coffee businesses in two, a move that some analysts say will allow the soda-maker to better compete with PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. —Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing refreshment

• liquid refreshment

Kids Definition

refreshment

noun

re·​fresh·​ment ri-ˈfresh-mənt 

1

: the act of refreshing : the state of being refreshed

2

a

: something that refreshes

b

plural : a light meal

refreshments will be served after the meeting