repair

1 of 4

verb (1)

re·​pair ri-ˈper How to pronounce repair (audio)
repaired; repairing; repairs

transitive verb

1
a
: to restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken : fix
repair a shoe
b
: to restore to a sound or healthy state : renew
repair his strength
2
: to make good : compensate for : remedy
repair a gap in my reading
repairability noun
repairable adjective
repairer noun

repair

2 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: an instance or result of repairing
b
: the act or process of repairing
c
: the replacement of destroyed cells or tissues by new formations
2
a
: relative condition with respect to soundness or need of repairing
b
: the state of being in good or sound condition

repair

3 of 4

verb (2)

repaired; repairing; repairs

intransitive verb

1
a
: to betake oneself : go
repaired to the judge's chambers
b
: to come together : rally
2
obsolete : return

repair

4 of 4

noun (2)

1
: the act of repairing : resort
2
: a popular gathering place
Choose the Right Synonym for repair

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.

mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of repair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Fiber: Supports gut health and is essential for feeling full. Proteins: Important for muscle building and repair and for feeling full. Anna Bader, Glamour, 15 Mar. 2024 The Four Lakes Task Force, local citizens acting on behalf of Gladwin and Midland counties, acquired the dams through condemnation and is overseeing repairs and finances. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 While the cost of EV production keeps going down, the cost of EV repairs keep going up at alarming rates. José Rodríguez Jr. / Jalopnik, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Car repairs also drove the improvement in services. Andrew Atkinson, Fortune Europe, 13 Mar. 2024 So more of us are putting off repairs and putting up with broken phones. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 The team alleged in its suit that the stadium required as much as $187 million in repairs. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 As the temperature outside warms, spring cleaning and significant home repairs may lead to thoughts of selling your home. Archway Homes, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 Image There is the electric motor repair shop, the pneumatic shop for brakes and air-conditioning, the car repair shop and the wheel and axle shop. David Waldstein, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
Avoid anything with rips, which can be expensive and time-consuming to repair, or a structure that doesn’t seem sturdy. Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024 The plumbing issues must have gotten repaired enough for Grio to pass a same-day re-inspection. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Locals shop the legendary store for bridal sets, and Seiko, Citizen, and Pulsar watches are repaired on site. Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Mar. 2024 The wheel on Buescher’s No. 17 Ford popped off, and NASCAR needed to throw a red flag while damage on the wall was repaired. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2024 Other aspects of this project include replacing any lights that no longer work, repairing concrete, resurfacing pavement with a fresh layer of asphalt and installing new signs that can be easily read while driving at night. The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 Such memories can repair negative moods and lower a person’s physiological stress response. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Any axle components damaged as a result of the problem will be repaired or replaced. Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2024 Those include the right of immediate notification when a wheelchair is lost or damaged, the right to a loaner and the right to choose how the wheelchair is repaired. Gregory Wallace, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repair.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French reparer, from Latin reparare, from re- + parare to prepare — more at pare

Verb (2)

Middle English, from Anglo-French repairer to go back, return from Late Latin repatriare to go home again, from Latin re- + patria native country — more at expatriate

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of repair was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near repair

Cite this Entry

“Repair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repair. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

repair

1 of 3 verb
re·​pair ri-ˈpa(ə)r How to pronounce repair (audio)
-ˈpe(ə)r
: to make one's way : go
repair to an inner office

repair

2 of 3 verb
1
: to put back in good condition
repair a broken toy
2
: to make up for : remedy
repair an injustice
repairable
-ˈpar-ə-bəl
-ˈper-
adjective
repairer
-ər
noun

repair

3 of 3 noun
1
a
: the act or process of repairing
make repairs
b
: the result of repairing
a tire with three repairs
2
a
: condition with respect to soundness or need of fixing
the car is in poor repair
b
: good condition
a house in repair

Medical Definition

repair

1 of 2 transitive verb
: to restore to a sound or healthy state
a surgical procedure to repair damaged tissue

repair

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act or process of repairing
surgical repair of a detached retina
b
: an instance or result of repairing
2
: the replacement of destroyed cells or tissues by new formations

More from Merriam-Webster on repair

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