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

• dalliance
• frolic
• frolicking
• fun
• fun and games
• play
• relaxation
• rollicking
• sport

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

The Natural State's burgeoning outdoor recreation industry generated $7.3 billion in direct and indirect economic impact during 2023, per topline figures shared from a new report Monday. —Worth Sparkman, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025

Yates’ second-degree murder conviction stemmed from killing inmate Nathan Marcus, 33, at a recreation yard, the CDCR has said. —Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025

Parks and recreation directors, the Office of the Child Advocate and others have offered testimony on a controversial bill that would ensure that Connecticut municipal programs for children conduct background checks on employees, among other requirements. —Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025

Merve Hickok, president and policy director at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, a nonprofit research group, said the general use of voice recreation is not inherently unethical. —Sophia Pargas, NBC News, 21 Feb. 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