refreshment
- 01 B1 Intermediate
small amounts of food and drink provided at a meeting, party, or during a journey.
light snacks and beverages served at an event or during travel. Often used in the plural form.
Simple“Light refreshments will be served in the lobby after the presentation.”
In context“The conference organisers provided a variety of refreshments, including herbal teas and organic pastries, during the mid-morning break.”
UsageCommonly used in the plural form 'refreshments' when referring to food and drink.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
the feeling of getting your strength or energy back after being tired.
the restoration of strength, spirit, or physical vigour after exertion or heat.
Simple“The cool breeze provided a moment of refreshment after the long walk.”
In context“The weary travellers sought refreshment in the mountain stream, finding the icy water revitalising after their arduous ascent.”
UsageIn this abstract sense, the word is typically uncountable.
SynonymsAntonyms
“Crews have been provided with free food and refreshments and we’ve seen that people are coming forward to provide spare furniture and goods to those who have lost them to fires.”
Recorded since 1665; either directly or via Middle English refreschement, from Old French refrescher (12th century; modern French rafraîchir), itself from re- (“again”) + fresche (“fresh”) (modern French frais; from a Germanic source, cognate with Old High German frisc, modern German frisch, Dutch fris, etc.)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.