Refreshment

Refreshment refers to something that restores strength or spirits. As a noun, it can denote a thing that refreshes, such as a drink or light snack, or the act of refreshing or renewing oneself. In everyday usage, refreshments commonly refer to beverages and light foods offered at meetings, conferences, social events, or public venues.

Common forms include water, tea, coffee, juice, soft drinks, and small snacks such as fruit, biscuits, pastries, nuts, or sandwiches. Cultural practices vary: coffee breaks and tea breaks are common workplace rituals; at formal events refreshments may be served during receptions; in school or community settings, snack stations are provided during breaks.

In hospitality and event planning, providing appropriate refreshments involves considerations of variety, dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies), portion sizes, and temperature control. Refreshment areas are usually arranged to facilitate socializing and movement during breaks.

A separate sense exists in technology, where to refresh is to reload or update content; however, the noun form refreshment is rarely used in this context.