resort

[ ri-zawrt ]
See synonyms for resort on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to have recourse for use, help, or accomplishing something, often as a final available option or resource: to resort to war.

  2. to go, especially frequently or customarily: a beach to which many people resort.

noun
  1. a place to which people frequently or generally go for relaxation or pleasure, especially one providing rest and recreation facilities for vacationers: a popular winter resort.

  2. habitual or general going, as to a place or person.

  1. use of or appeal to some person or thing for aid, satisfaction, service, etc.; resource: to have resort to force;a court of last resort.

  2. a person or thing resorted to for aid, satisfaction, service, etc.

Origin of resort

1
First recorded in 1325–75; (for the verb) Middle English resorten, from Old French resortir, from re- re- + sortir “to go out, leave, escape” (perhaps ultimately from Latin sortīrī “to draw lots”); noun derivative of the verb

Other words from resort

  • pre·re·sort, verb (used without object)

Words that may be confused with resort

Other definitions for re-sort (2 of 2)

re-sort
[ ree-sawrt ]

verb (used with object)
  1. to sort or arrange (cards, papers, etc.) again.

Origin of re-sort

2
First recorded in 1885–90; re- + sort

Words that may be confused with re-sort

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use resort in a sentence

  • Mr. Minton has acquired a notoriety, even in that proud city, which makes his house one of the most popular resorts.

  • Even that experience only cured him for a week, and then his resorts to the brandy-bottle began again.

    The Chequers | James Runciman
  • Matches are made in trains overland as easily and quickly as on sea voyages or at quiet summer resorts.

    Overland | John William De Forest
  • It is one of the famous ill health resorts of Africa, but on this occasion it was on its good behavior.

    In Africa | John T. McCutcheon
  • It is a number of respectable people whom curiosity leads into the resorts of crime and vice.

    An Arkansas Planter | Opie Percival Read

British Dictionary definitions for resort (1 of 2)

resort

/ (rɪˈzɔːt) /


verb(intr)
  1. (usually foll by to) to have recourse (to) for help, use, etc: to resort to violence

  2. to go, esp often or habitually; repair: to resort to the beach

noun
  1. a place to which many people go for recreation, rest, etc: a holiday resort

  2. the use of something as a means, help, or recourse

  1. the act of going to a place, esp for recreation, rest, etc

  2. last resort the last possible course of action open to one

Origin of resort

1
C14: from Old French resortir to come out again, from re- + sortir to emerge

Derived forms of resort

  • resorter, noun

British Dictionary definitions for re-sort (2 of 2)

re-sort

/ (riːˈsɔːt) /


verb
  1. (tr) to sort again

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with resort

resort

see last resort.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.