respite

1 of 3

noun

re·​spite ˈre-spət How to pronounce respite (audio)
 also  ri-ˈspīt,
 British usually  ˈre-ˌspīt
1
: a period of temporary delay
2
: an interval of rest or relief

respite

2 of 3

verb

respited; respiting

transitive verb

1
: to grant a temporary period of relief to : grant a respite to
2

respite

3 of 3

adjective

: providing or being temporary care in relief of a primary caregiver
respite care
a respite worker

Did you know?

Respite Has Latin Roots

Respite is first known to have been used at the turn of the 14th century to refer to a delay or extension asked for or granted for a specific reason—to give someone time to deliberate on a proposal, for example. Such a respite offered an opportunity for the kind of consideration inherent in the word's etymology. Respite traces from the Latin term respectus (also the source of English's respect), which comes from respicere, a verb with both concrete and abstract meanings: "to turn around to look at" or "to regard." Within a few decades of its earliest known use, English speakers had granted respite the sense we use most often today—"a welcome break."

Examples of respite in a Sentence

Noun But in the middle of each semester there came a short respite, separate from the traditional holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Martha Southgate, The Fall of Rome, 2002
Six years more of toil they had to face before they could expect the least respite, the cessation of the payments upon the house … Upton Sinclair, The Jungle, 1906
The laborer's day ends with the going down of the sun … but his employer, who speculates from month to month, has no respite from one end of the year to the other. Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854
The bad weather has continued without respite.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The El Niño pattern should wind down in a few months, bringing some respite to the Amazon. Manuela Andreoni, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 New York Community Bank (NYCB) might have gotten a brief respite after a $1 billion rescue plan from new board director Steve Mnuchin, but lots of questions are still swirling around it. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 Their burgeoning love story provides respite amid the violence. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2024 But analysts and Sharif’s opponents say the respite won’t last long. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Remember that long-distance caregivers can play supporting roles for family members who do live close to or even with an ailing parents, giving them respite from their daily responsibilities. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 While Williams and the Pistons were infuriated by the no-call and result, they may be offered some bittersweet respite in knowing that they are justified in their anger. Sam Joseph, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 With a large grassy field, coffee kiosk, soap and gift shop, chicken coop and various gardens, the space offers a respite from the city — or even just from a stressful day. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2024 After a brief respite in the broad 2021 market rally, the Nasdaq 100 is back above its prior relative peak. Randy Watts, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
Come Tuesday evening, that respite figures to be over, according to the National Weather Service. Grace Hase, The Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2024 Grant yourself respite from the burdens of overwork and everyday fatigue with the remarkable benefits of ashwagandha. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2023 There is no longer respite from typhoon season in the western North Pacific, either. Porter Fox, New York Times, 9 May 2023 There are several elegant lodging options in Virginia Beach, but the Barclay Cottage Bed and Breakfast is an affordable, adults-only respite right around the corner from the beach. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2023 Statewide, the fund gave grants to 175 organizations ranging from parental education, home visiting, fatherhood, respite care and mentoring. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 17 Feb. 2023 But about half come to respite care due to infections, lung issues or wound care — injuries potentially linked to cold weather exposure or the aftermath of frostbite, said Molly Cornish, a spokesperson for the organization. Michelle Theriault Boots, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Dec. 2022 In California cities, the urban canopy is a critical piece of environmental infrastructure, cooling sidewalks, cleansing air, creating wildlife habitat and giving people of all socioeconomic backgrounds respite from intensifying heat waves. Jill Cowan, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2023 Still, the outlook for the world’s largest economy may offer respite. Fortune, 2 Jan. 2023
Adjective
But on respite night, they are encouraged to lead the way, buddies following their whims. Linda Friedel, Kansas City Star, 31 Jan. 2024 This delightful sauna offers visitors respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Tribune News Service, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2024 The Biden administration has embraced the idea of respite services under Medicare, including a pilot program for the families of dementia patients that will begin in 2024. Reed Abelson Desiree Rios, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023 Spokespeople for both City Hall and RXR told me that the respite center at the Hall was emptied in early October. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2023 In Nevada’s Clark County, local officials are operating more than 35 cooling centers that offer people respite from the heat. Denise Chow, NBC News, 13 July 2023 His reappearance at a charity event—not in custody or jail—gave Alibaba’s investors respite, and its stock, a boost. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 17 Feb. 2023 How is respite care provided when my caregiver needs a break? Ava Kofman, ProPublica, 6 Dec. 2022 The responses to those surveys — which overwhelmingly asked for emergency financial assistance — led to the organization launching its respite response program earlier this year, and now the new holiday relief effort. San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'respite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adjective

Middle English respit, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin respectus, from Latin, act of looking back — more at respect

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1978, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of respite was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near respite

Cite this Entry

“Respite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respite. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

respite

noun
re·​spite
ˈres-pət,
 also  ri-ˈspīt
1
: a short delay : postponement
2
: a period of rest or relief

Legal Definition

respite

noun
in the civil law of Louisiana : a judicially approved or enforced agreement that provides a debtor with time or a delay for the payment of creditors
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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