repair

1 of 4

verb (1)

re·​pair ri-ˈper 

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

intransitive verb

: to make repairs

repairability

ri-ˌper-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

repairable

ri-ˈper-ə-bəl 

adjective

repairer

ri-ˈper-ər 

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

Synonyms of repair

Verb (1)

• restore
• revive
• refresh
• recreate

Noun (1)

• condition
• health
• shape

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

Verb (1)

it will take some time to repair your energy after a bout with the flu

having trouble finding someone who repairs audio components

Noun (1)

the dining table is in good repair, so you won't need to refinish it

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The connection between fans and the team has broken, and a huge summer lies ahead if Wolves are to repair it. —Steve Madeley, New York Times, 18 May 2026

The administration says that work there will affirmatively fulfill the board’s responsibilities to repair and improve the center. —ABC News, 17 May 2026

Noun

Bulk Up Stuffed Items Cloth napkins that are ripped or stained beyond repair can be used to stuff foot stools, pet beds, cushions, and pillows that need some extra fluff. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 May 2026

Examples of the many projects/programs underway include local streets/roads repair and improvements, highway interchanges, Caltrain corridor capacity improvements, local transit improvements, and bicycle/pedestrian projects. —Phan Khang, Mercury News, 18 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing repair

• a good/bad state of repair
• beyond repair
• repair to

Rhymes for repair

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

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Kids Definition

repair

1 of 3 verb

re·​pair ri-ˈpa(ə)r 

-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

re·​pair ri-ˈpa(ə)r, -ˈpe(ə)r 

: 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