recreation

noun

rec·​re·​a·​tion ˌre-krē-ˈā-shən 

: refreshment of strength and spirits after work

also : a means of refreshment or diversion : hobby

Synonyms

• relaxation
• fun
• entertainment
• amusement
• enjoyment

Examples of recreation in a Sentence

The fields next to the school are used for recreation.

decided to take a bike tour of the island for recreation and relaxation

Recent Examples on the Web

On a StudBudz stream, Courtney Williams complained about having to share space at the team’s practice area, particularly when players and other attendees of the recreation center need to shower. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025

His recreation of the older, controlling Jim, with a grotesque combover, was so spot-on that those who had interacted with the real person didn't want to be near him. —Esther Zuckerman, Time, 6 Sep. 2025

Museumgoers are greeted by several recreations of wooden boats used by Native Americans. —Chris Quintana, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025

Ziggy pulled together friends and neighbors and, through their Clark Park Coalition, took over the park, maintained the recreation center, rebuilt the rink, and offered sports, tutoring and nutrition to kids in southwest Detroit. —M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English recreacioun "act of refreshment, action of amusing," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin recreātiōn-, recreātiō "spiritual refreshment, amusement, new birth," going back to Latin, "act of restoring," from recreāre "to make new, restore, revive" (from re- re- + creāre "to bring into being, beget, give birth to") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at create entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing recreation

• recreation ground
• recreation room

Rhymes for recreation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

recreation

noun

rec·​re·​ation

ˌrek-rē-ˈā-shən

1

: refreshment of mind or body after work or worry : diversion

2

: a way of refreshing mind or body

hiking is our favorite recreation

recreational

-shnəl

-shən-ᵊl

adjective