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
reposed; reposing
: to lay at rest
re·pose
reposed; reposing
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
Synonyms
Noun
Verb (1)
Verb (2)
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
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
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 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Dictionary Entries Near repose
Cite this Entry
“Repose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repose. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
repose
1 of 3 verb
re·pose
ri-ˈpōz 
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 noun1
: 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"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share