repose

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a state of resting after exertion or strain
especially : rest in sleep
b
: eternal or heavenly rest
pray for the repose of a soul
2
a
: a place of rest
b
: peace, tranquility
the repose of the bayous
c
: a harmony in the arrangement of parts and colors that is restful to the eye
3
a
: lack of activity : quiescence
b
: cessation or absence of activity, movement, or animation
the face in repose is grave and thoughtful
4
: composure of manner : poise

repose

2 of 3

verb (1)

re·​pose ri-ˈpōz How to pronounce repose (audio)
reposed; reposing

transitive verb

: to lay at rest

intransitive verb

1
a
: to lie at rest
b
: to lie dead
reposing in state
c
: to remain still or concealed
2
: to take a rest
3
: to rest for support : lie
4
archaic : rely

repose

3 of 3

verb (2)

re·​pose
reposed; reposing

transitive verb

1
a
: to place (confidence, trust, etc.) in someone or something
b
: to place for control, management, or use
2
archaic : to put away or set down : deposit

Examples of repose in a Sentence

Noun typically the wealthy socialite spends most of the morning in repose, is served lunch, and then embarks on an exhaustive afternoon of shopping enjoyed the repose of a serene summer evening a little-explored region beneath which vast mineral reserves are said to repose reposed in the Caribbean sun, enjoying her break from the world of work Verb (2) the Constitution reposes the power to declare war to Congress, and to that body alone
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The half-moon curved chairs suspended just a few feet above a shallow flow of cool water add a fun-loving whimsy to the indulgent repose. Paula Conway, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Not far away, Johnny Marrero sat in repose while playing music from a wireless speaker. Claire Thornton, USA TODAY, 2 Sep. 2024
Verb
The artist, whose portraits explore leisure and repose, has suddenly found success in the notoriously fickle gallery world. M.h. Miller, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024 In a sense, almost all of Manet’s and Degas’s best work is about repose, the glorious right of the nineteenth-century French bourgeoisie and the seed from which a thousand entertainments sprouted: gardens, promenades, dances, horse races, picnics, prostitutes, bars. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for repose 

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French reposer, from Late Latin repausare, from Latin re- + Late Latin pausare to stop, from Latin pausa pause

Verb (2)

Middle English, to replace, from Latin reponere (perfect indicative reposui)

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of repose was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near repose

Cite this Entry

“Repose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repose. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

repose

1 of 3 verb
re·​pose ri-ˈpōz How to pronounce repose (audio)
reposed; reposing
1
: to lay at rest
reposed her head on a cushion
2
: to lie at rest
reposing on the couch

repose

2 of 3 noun
1
: a state of resting after effort or strain
especially : rest in sleep
2
: freedom from disturbance or excitement : calm
the repose of the forest
3
: absence or stopping of activity or movement
a face in repose

repose

3 of 3 verb
re·​pose
reposed; reposing
1
: to place (as trust or confidence) in someone or something
2
: to place for control, management, or use
Etymology

Verb

Middle English reposen "to lay at rest," from early French reposer (same meaning), from Latin repausare (same meaning), from earlier re- "back, again" and pausare "to stop," from Latin pausa "a pause" — related to pause

Verb

Middle English reposen "to replace," from Latin reponere "replace"

More from Merriam-Webster on repose

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