A repository is a storage location for code, tracking every change made over time. In WordPress, the term most often comes up in reference to the official Plugin and Theme Directories — sometimes called repositories — where free plugins and themes are hosted for anyone to download.
The WordPress Plugin Repository
Every plugin listed here has gone through a basic review process and is free to install directly from your dashboard. It’s generally a safer source than downloading plugin files from unfamiliar third-party websites.
Code Repositories
Developers also use the term for platforms like GitHub, where a project’s full source code and history live. Many plugin authors develop their code openly in one of these repositories, even if the finished product ends up distributed through the official WordPress directory instead.
You likely won’t need to interact with a code repository directly unless you’re customizing a plugin or theme yourself, or working closely with a developer on custom features.