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

This Year Several Reddit users sided with the traveler in the comments section of the post, stating that it should be expected that people recline their seats on airplanes. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025

There's only one air travel debate that's as divisive as window or aisle, and that's the issue of reclining. —Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2024

The stylish egg chair has supportive cushions to recline in and a padded ottoman to put your feet up on. —Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Dec. 2024

Last month, a viral video from a flight that departed Denver shows an irate passenger shaking the seat in front of him and pushing it with his feet to stop the passenger from reclining. —Gretchen Eichenberg, Fox News, 14 Nov. 2024

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

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