repertory

American  

[rep-er-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈrɛp ərˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

noun

• repertories
  plural

1. a type of theatrical presentation in which a company presents several works regularly or in alternate sequence in one season.

2. Also called repertory company.  Also called repertory theater,.  a theatrical company that presents productions in this manner.

3. repertoire.

4. a store or stock of things available.

5. storehouse.

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repertory British  

/ ˈrɛpətərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

1. the entire stock of things available in a field or of a kind; repertoire

2. a building or place where a stock of things is kept; repository

3. short for repertory company

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• repertorial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• repertories
  plural

Etymology

Origin of repertory

1545–55; < Late Latin repertōrium inventory, equivalent to Latin reper ( īre ) to discover, find, make up ( re- re- + -perīre, combining form of parere to bring forth, produce) + -tōrium -tory ²

Explanation

A repertory is a collection of pieces that are ready to be performed, like a theater's repertory of plays or a singer's repertory of songs. The word repertory is very similar to the related repertoire, and they share the Late Latin root repertorium, "inventory or list." The French repertoire is generally more common, meaning "full range of what you can do." Repertory is more likely to specifically mean a theater or company of actors with a regularly performed repertoire of plays.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

repertory repertories

The scrupulously staged and rehearsed repertory at the Joyce, with Elisa Clark assisting as rehearsal director, holds bright promise for future retrospective efforts mining the Mark Morris Dance Group’s rich repertory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Both the dome and the theater complex will feature repertory screenings, filmmaker series, premieres and special events.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

But his wish list of non-woke repertory, which also included Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, draws on an attachment that predates his entry into national politics: Broadway musicals.

From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026

Last year, the coalition of directors announced that American Cinematheque would operate the theater, hosting special screenings of new releases and repertory titles and conversations with filmmakers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026

The story is well known in various versions, and a “habben” play based on it is in the repertory of traveling players east of the Kargav.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Local writers will read from their diverse repertories of poetry, short stories, novels and essays.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 7, 2022

PNB is presenting six repertories plus “The Nutcracker” from September through June.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 13, 2021

Many leading conductors have balanced work between opera houses and symphony orchestras, readily transferring techniques and styles between the two genres and repertories.

From New York Times ● Apr. 18, 2021

Thus, conductors develop repertories of gestures that are as specific to them as their tone of voice.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 1, 2019

Of these, and other repertories of the national ballads, the number is legion, and the merits and methods as varied and diverse.

From The Balladists Famous Scots Series by John Geddie

Related Words

• repertoire
• routine