recreational

adjective

rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al ˌre-krē-ˈā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of recreation

a recreational area

recreational activities

2

: of or relating to recreational drugs or their use

a recreational drug user

Colorado's burgeoning marijuana industry had struggled under its own astonishing success since legal recreational sales began Jan. 1.

—David Migoya

recreationally adverb

Examples of recreational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Málaga, on Costa del Sol, has a similar law against public tinkling, in addition to rules banning such recreational activities as juggling a soccer ball or playing paddle tennis during peak summer months. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025

The non-profit is looking to raise another $17.7 million to construct the three-story addition, which includes another 24 beds and additional recreational space. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2025

The waters along the South Cape and Islands, where recreational shark fishing for non-white shark species has historically occurred, are not included in the regulations. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025

Adults aged 21 and up without a patient license would pay a 10% excise tax on recreational cannabis products purchased at licensed dispensaries. —A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

recreation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recreational

• recreational drug
• recreational vehicle

Rhymes for recreational

• aspirational
• avocational
• calculational
• combinational
• computational
• conformational
• confrontational
• congregational
• conversational
• correlational
• deformational
• derivational