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 recreation area covers some 8,800 acres, incorporating the reservoir itself and the surrounding landscape. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

The period recreation is impeccable, and the many music performance sequences could not be more transporting, benefiting enormously from lead actors doing their own singing with estimable polish. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024

The new study revealed that the lions’ timing shifts weren’t more pronounced on weekends when recreation spikes, contrary to what researchers expected. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

The model and her mother, Jody Potts-Joseph, run Native Youth Outdoors, which provides free outdoor recreation clinics for Indigenous youth. —Kyra Kennedy, Outside Online, 6 Dec. 2024

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

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