recline

verb

re·​cline ri-ˈklīn 

reclined; reclining

transitive verb

: to cause or permit to incline backwards

intransitive verb

1

: to lean or incline backwards

2

: repose, lie

Examples of recline in a Sentence

She was reclining on the sofa, watching TV.

The theater has reclining seats.

He reclined his seat so that he could nap more comfortably.

Recent Examples on the Web

An adjustable bed frame allows sleepers to incline and recline the angle of their mattress. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 3 Mar. 2025

In our era of ballooning pant legs and reclining theater seats, as Brooklyn pantries overflow with Wegmans bulk and Cybertrucks tear through Tribeca, one feature of the cityscape has been slimming down: the balcony. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 24 Feb. 2025

Never recline fast and don't recline during meal service because no one wants to look at your scalp. —Abc News, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2025

It was followed by a full renovation of Majid Al Futtaim's 18-Screen Multiplex at Dubai Festival City Mall which now has reclining leather seats with blankets, and pillows. —Caroline Reid, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French recliner, from Latin reclinare, from re- + clinare to bend — more at lean

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for recline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

recline

verb

re·​cline ri-ˈklīn 

reclined; reclining

1

: to lean or cause to lean backwards

2

: repose entry 1 sense 2, lie

reclining on the sofa