Rest: meaning, definitions and examples

Taking a pause from physical or mental activity to recover strength.

• She decided to rest after hiking all day
• You should get some rest before the big meeting tomorrow

Engaging in activities that reduce stress and create a calm state, typically during leisure time.

• Yoga can be a great form of relaxation
• She finds relaxation in reading books

A state of restfulness or tranquility, often implying a deeper, more peaceful rest; can sound formal.

• The garden is a place of repose for many visitors
• He found repose under the shade of the old tree

A short interruption from work or activity, often to refresh oneself.

• Let's take a break and grab some coffee
• He took a 15-minute break between meetings

Used when someone needs to stop doing an activity to regain strength or recover from fatigue.

• You need to rest after the long hike.
• The doctor told her to rest for a few days.

Appropriate when someone wants to reduce stress or tension and feel more at ease.

• She likes to relax with a good book in the evenings.
• You should relax before the big presentation.

Used in more formal or literary contexts to describe resting or a state of tranquility.

• After a long day of work, he found repose under the old oak tree.
• The artwork creates a sense of repose and calm.

Implies a gradual process of relaxing after being stressed or busy. Often used informally.

• She needs to unwind after a hectic week at work.
• A warm bath helps him to unwind.