A brief interval of rest or relief.
A guide to respite
• A reprieve, especially from a sentence of death.
• The delay of appearance at court granted to a jury beyond the proper term.
• A short period of spoken dialogue in an otherwise sung-through musical.
(Verb) To delay or postpone (an event).
• To allow (a person) extra time to fulfil some obligation.
Why respite is relevant in U.S. law
respite appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
When and how respite applies
In practice, respite is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.