repose

noun

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Definition of repose

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a state of resting after exertion or strain especially : rest in sleep

b : eternal or heavenly rest pray for the repose of a soul

2a : 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

3a : 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

verb (1)

re·pose | \ ri-ˈpōz

reposed; reposing

Definition of repose (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to lay at rest

intransitive verb

1a : 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

verb (2)

re·pose

reposed; reposing

Definition of repose (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about repose

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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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun For Adams, depicting civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a state of repose was a radical yet logical choice. — Nikki Giovanni, Bon Appétit, "On Revolution, and Repose," 1 Dec. 2020 For the dead headed to eternal repose at Brookwood, the process was fairly simple. — National Geographic, "This abandoned railroad was London's train for the dead," 29 Oct. 2020 And that, Harris says, is where the rubber meets the repose. — Eleanor Cummins, Popular Science, "You can (and should) train yourself to sleep on your back," 27 Oct. 2020 The quavering vibrato of the violin seems to mirror our inability to find an angle of repose. — Danielle Ofri, The New Yorker, "A Bellevue Doctor’s Pandemic Diary," 1 Oct. 2020 Trump made the trip from the White House to the Supreme Court – where the 87-year-old justice is lying in repose for a second day – even as Trump is preparing for a bruising confirmation fight over her successor. — David Jackson, USA TODAY, "'Honor her wish': Trump jeered as he pays his respects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg at Supreme Court," 24 Sep. 2020 For Vogue, Saba captured a Balmain Saddler bag in rural repose on Montauk. — Ella Riley-adams, Vogue, "15 Photography Students Capture the Season’s Standout Bags," 9 Sep. 2020 Raphael surely saw the Pantheon as prime real estate for his eternal repose, but this wasn’t simply his ego at work. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, "In Rome, the Definitive Raphael Show: Raffaello: 1520–1483," 2 Sep. 2020 The tourist, as captured on security camera footage, sat down at her feet, with his neon sneakers still affixed to the floor, and mimicked Bonaparte’s luxurious sprawl in repose. — Julia Jacobs, New York Times, "Tourist Posing With 200-Year-Old Sculpture Breaks Its Toes," 6 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Ojih Odutola's ability to capture movement and repose felt symbolic. — Osayi Endolyn, Condé Nast Traveler, "I Drove 300 Miles Through the Low Country for Life-Changing Food," 7 May 2020 Many of us saw it as an end-run around the Senate’s advice-and-consent power (Article II, Section 2), as a way to repose power in radical thinkers who stood no chance of being confirmed. — Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, "White House Task Forces Challenge Separation of Powers," 17 Apr. 2020 This influence is evident in the way the leads’ full frontal nudity, specifically, is shown in moments of quiet and repose. — Eleanor Stanford, New York Times, "‘Normal People’ Takes Sex Seriously," 17 Apr. 2020 In fact, the nearby Henry Mountains, later to be immortalized by a candy bar, repose in the last area in the continental U.S. to be mapped. — John Phillips, Car and Driver, "Tested: 1995 Land Rover Defender 90 Goes Nowhere, Man," 24 Mar. 2020 The questions are sometimes amalgams of several highly similar questions posed or reposed during the course of a discussion on one topic. — Chris Wilson, Time, "Beyond the Shouting: These 10 Questions Show Who You Think Won the Nevada Debate," 20 Feb. 2020 Preparing the next generation While her generation has been hard at work in saving and restoring forests, Bisoyi has reposed faith in the next generation to not only take up the mantle but improve on it. — Pragati Prava, Quartz India, "An Odisha village woman’s journey from protecting peacocks to the Indian parliament," 26 Jan. 2020 Breathtaking wide-angle shots of the sky and beach offer the same sense of freedom and repose that characterizes the easygoing tune. — Bryan Kress, Billboard, "Alt Bloom Takes Over the Streets of Los Angeles in 'West Coast' Visual: Exclusive," 17 Jan. 2020 These are genuine challenges, so please don’t rush to peek at the answers, which repose at the end of this column: 1. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Try your head and hand at solving classic riddles," 13 July 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Ojih Odutola's ability to capture movement and repose felt symbolic. — Osayi Endolyn, Condé Nast Traveler, "I Drove 300 Miles Through the Low Country for Life-Changing Food," 7 May 2020 This influence is evident in the way the leads’ full frontal nudity, specifically, is shown in moments of quiet and repose. — Eleanor Stanford, New York Times, "‘Normal People’ Takes Sex Seriously," 17 Apr. 2020 In fact, the nearby Henry Mountains, later to be immortalized by a candy bar, repose in the last area in the continental U.S. to be mapped. — John Phillips, Car and Driver, "Tested: 1995 Land Rover Defender 90 Goes Nowhere, Man," 24 Mar. 2020 The questions are sometimes amalgams of several highly similar questions posed or reposed during the course of a discussion on one topic. — Chris Wilson, Time, "Beyond the Shouting: These 10 Questions Show Who You Think Won the Nevada Debate," 20 Feb. 2020 Preparing the next generation While her generation has been hard at work in saving and restoring forests, Bisoyi has reposed faith in the next generation to not only take up the mantle but improve on it. — Pragati Prava, Quartz India, "An Odisha village woman’s journey from protecting peacocks to the Indian parliament," 26 Jan. 2020 Breathtaking wide-angle shots of the sky and beach offer the same sense of freedom and repose that characterizes the easygoing tune. — Bryan Kress, Billboard, "Alt Bloom Takes Over the Streets of Los Angeles in 'West Coast' Visual: Exclusive," 17 Jan. 2020 These are genuine challenges, so please don’t rush to peek at the answers, which repose at the end of this column: 1. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Try your head and hand at solving classic riddles," 13 July 2019 Finally, in Bill’s magic package reposed a miniature three-legged stool inside a clear jar with a white lid. — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Our language is moonstruck with lunar words," 3 Aug. 2019

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

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Last Updated

9 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Repose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repose. Accessed 15 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for repose

repose

noun

English Language Learners Definition of repose

formal + literary : a state of resting or not being active

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

repose

verb

re·pose | \ ri-ˈpōz

reposed; reposing

Kids Definition of repose

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to lay or lie at rest I reposed my head on his shoulder. The dog is reposing on the couch.

repose

noun

Kids Definition of repose (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a state of resting

2 : freedom from disturbance or excitement : calm … there was a delicious sense of repose and peace in the deep pervading calm and silence of the woods.— Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer