resort
Americanverb (used without object)
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to have recourse for use, help, or accomplishing something, often as a final available option or resource.
to resort to war.
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to go, especially frequently or customarily.
a beach to which many people resort.
noun
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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.
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habitual or general going, as to a place or person.
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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.
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a person or thing resorted to for aid, satisfaction, service, etc.
verb
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(usually foll by to) to have recourse (to) for help, use, etc
to resort to violence
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to go, esp often or habitually; repair
to resort to the beach
noun
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a place to which many people go for recreation, rest, etc
a holiday resort
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the use of something as a means, help, or recourse
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the act of going to a place, esp for recreation, rest, etc
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the last possible course of action open to one
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of resort
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
Explanation
The noun resort means "turning to something or someone else for assistance." You tried everything to figure out your math homework on your own, so asking your dad for help was your last resort. Resort, pronounced "re-ZORT," is also a verb that means "to adopt a course of action to improve your situation." It's when you use that last resort: if you can't convince your mom to let you go rock-climbing, you will resort to begging. Resort also means a fancy hotel, usually in a very scenic location, or a place you go often — when your friends didn't know where you were, they checked your resorts: the gym and the park.
Vocabulary lists containing resort
"Arachne"
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Marbury v. Madison (1803)
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"A Poem for My Librarian, Mrs. Long," Vocabulary from the poem
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You’re the one who wants a trip to a fancy resort out of this deal, not the adviser getting bonus prizes for signing a new deal.
From MarketWatch • May 26, 2026
It’s visually appealing and the employee-to-customer ratio is notable, and the result is that you feel like you’re at a resort.
From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2026
The backcountry of the French resort area offers luxury home buyers a more laid-back, rustic feel.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
The White House earlier on Friday announced a change in Trump's weekend plans, saying he would not travel to his New Jersey golf resort as planned but would stay in the US capital instead.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
He resented having “to resort to temporary expedients merely to make a poor show for the opening.”
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
