Have you ever come across the word “repast” in a book, formal announcement, or funeral notice and wondered what it means? If so, you are not alone. Repast is not a word we commonly use in everyday conversation, but it is still useful to understand, especially if you want to improve your English vocabulary and reading skills.
In this guide, I’ll explain the repast meaning, pronunciation, part of speech, synonyms, examples, and the situations where this word sounds natural. I’ll also explain the difference between repast and repass, since these two words are easy to confuse.
Repast Meaning: What Does “Repast” Mean?
The word repast means a meal or food eaten during a particular occasion. It can refer to a simple meal, a formal meal, or food served to a group of people.
According to Cambridge Dictionary, repast is a literary noun meaning “a meal.”
In simple English:
Repast = meal
For example:
- We enjoyed a delicious repast after the ceremony.
- The guests were invited to a formal repast.
- They prepared a light repast for the travelers.
- The family shared a quiet repast together.
The word repast is more formal and literary than the everyday word meal. So, while I would normally say, “We had a meal together,” I might use “repast” in a formal, historical, literary, or ceremonial context.
Repast Pronunciation
The pronunciation of repast can vary slightly between British and American English.
It is commonly pronounced:
ri-PAST or ri-PAHST
Cambridge lists the British pronunciation as /rɪˈpɑːst/ and the American pronunciation as /rɪˈpæst/.
The important part is to place the main stress on the second syllable:
re-PAST
Is Repast a Noun or a Verb?
Repast can function as both a noun and, much less commonly, a verb.
Repast as a Noun
As a noun, repast means a meal or food provided for a meal.
For example:
We enjoyed a hearty repast after our long journey.
Here, “repast” simply means a meal.
This is the modern use you are most likely to encounter. Merriam-Webster defines the noun as something taken as food or a meal.
Repast as a Verb
Repast can also be used as a verb meaning to eat or feast, but this use is rare and often sounds archaic or literary.
For example:
The travelers repasted beside the river.
In modern everyday English, I would recommend using eat, dine, or feast instead. The verb form of repast is much less common than the noun.
Repast Meaning in Simple English
If you want to remember the word quickly, use this simple rule:
Repast means a meal.
It can refer to:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- A formal meal
- A shared meal
- Food served at an event
- A meal following a ceremony
For example:
The guests enjoyed an evening repast.
This simply means:
The guests enjoyed an evening meal.
The difference is mainly the tone. “Evening meal” sounds ordinary, while “evening repast” sounds more formal or literary.
Examples of Repast in a Sentence
Understanding examples is one of the easiest ways to learn a new vocabulary word. Here are some sentences showing how repast can be used naturally.
Example 1
The family prepared a delicious repast for their guests.
Here, repast means a meal.
Example 2
After the ceremony, everyone gathered for a communal repast.
This means everyone gathered to share a meal.
Example 3
The travelers stopped beside the river to enjoy a simple repast.
Here, the word describes a simple meal eaten during their journey.
Example 4
A light repast was served before the meeting.
This means a small or light meal was provided.
Example 5
The monks gathered for their evening repast.
Here, repast means their evening meal.
Example 6
The host prepared an elaborate repast for the visitors.
An “elaborate repast” means a carefully prepared and impressive meal.
These examples reflect the established dictionary usage of repast as a meal or food provided for a meal.
Repast Meaning in Funeral Context
One context where you may encounter repast more frequently is in connection with funerals or memorial services.
A funeral repast is a meal or gathering where family members, friends, and other guests come together for food following a funeral or memorial service.
For example:
The family will host a repast after the funeral service.
In this sentence, repast refers to the gathering or meal held after the service.
The word can therefore have a cultural or ceremonial meaning in addition to its basic meaning of “meal.” In modern American usage, repast can still appear in news reports and announcements concerning gatherings following funerals.
However, remember that repast does not specifically mean funeral. The word itself simply means a meal. The funeral-related meaning comes from the context in which it is used.
Repast vs. Repass: What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most important points to remember.
Although repast and repass look and sound similar, they have different meanings.
Repast
Repast = a meal
Example:
The family enjoyed a repast after the ceremony.
Repass
Repass = to pass again or go over something again.
Example:
We had to repass the same road on our way home.
So, if you are talking about food or eating, use repast.
If you are talking about passing something again, use repass.
A simple memory trick I use is:
Repast → food
Repass → pass again
This distinction can prevent an embarrassing spelling mistake, particularly in formal writing.
Synonyms for Repast
Depending on the context, you can replace repast with several other words.
Common synonyms include:
- Meal
- Food
- Dinner
- Feast
- Banquet
- Refreshment
- Spread
- Refection
However, these words are not always perfect replacements.
For example, banquet usually suggests a large and formal meal, while repast can describe something much simpler. Collins lists meal, spread, collation, and refection among its synonyms.
The safest everyday synonym is simply:
Repast = meal
Is “Repast” Formal or Informal?
I would consider repast a formal or literary word rather than an everyday conversational word.
If I am talking to a friend, I am much more likely to say:
We had a great meal last night.
I probably would not say:
We had a delightful repast last night.
The second sentence is grammatically correct, but it sounds formal, old-fashioned, humorous, or deliberately literary.
You are more likely to encounter repast in:
- Books and literature
- Historical writing
- Formal descriptions
- Ceremonial contexts
- Funeral announcements
- Formal event writing
- Descriptions of traditional meals
Cambridge specifically labels the word as literary, which helps explain why it feels less common in everyday speech.
Common Mistakes When Using Repast
Mistake 1: Using “repass” for a meal
Incorrect:
We gathered for a repass after dinner.
Better:
We gathered for a repast after the ceremony.
Mistake 2: Assuming repast means a large feast
A repast does not necessarily have to be extravagant. It can be a simple meal.
For example:
The hikers stopped for a small repast.
Mistake 3: Using it in every casual conversation
Although repast is correct, it can sound unnecessarily formal in ordinary situations.
Instead of:
What are you having for your evening repast?
Most people would naturally say:
What are you having for dinner?
Use repast when the formal or literary tone fits the situation.
A Quick Way to Remember Repast Meaning
If you are trying to build your English vocabulary, I recommend connecting repast with the simple word meal.
Think:
REPAST → MEAL → FOOD
Then remember:
“A repast is a meal, especially when described in a formal or literary way.”
Once you make that connection, the word becomes much easier to recognize when reading.
Final Thoughts on Repast Meaning
So, what is the repast meaning?
Simply put, repast means a meal or food eaten on a particular occasion. It is a noun most commonly used in formal, literary, historical, or ceremonial contexts.
The word is not usually necessary in casual conversation, but knowing it can help you understand sophisticated English writing. You may also encounter it in phrases such as “evening repast,” “light repast,” “communal repast,” or “funeral repast.”
Most importantly, don’t confuse repast with repass. When the subject is food or a meal, repast is the word you want.
Quick Recap
Repast meaning: A meal or food eaten on a particular occasion.
Part of speech: Primarily a noun; it can also be a rare/archaic verb.
Pronunciation: re-PAST / re-PAHST
Simple synonym: Meal
Tone: Formal, literary, or ceremonial
Example:
The guests gathered together for a pleasant repast after the ceremony.
If you remember just one thing, remember this:
Repast means “meal.”