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

Verb (1)

• freshen
• recharge
• recreate
• refresh
• refreshen
• regenerate
• rejuvenate
• renew
• restore
• resuscitate
• revitalize
• revive
• revivify

Noun (1)

• condition
• estate
• fettle
• form
• health
• keeping
• kilter
• nick [British]
• order
• shape
• trim

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

Noun

This simple mechanism makes repairs faster and smoother. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024

Many millennials, for example, hoped to buy affordable starter homes but paid top dollar for houses in need of lots of repairs and updates. —Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2024

Verb

The city is making plans to repair damage from a Halloween tornado that tore through parts of the community. —Lynn Kutter, arkansasonline.com, 25 Dec. 2024

Advertisement Newsom said the funds will aid in repairing and expanding the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, a project that is already underway but will take five years to complete. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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