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

At the same time, beaches are a source of recreation for the public, as well as a revenue generator with tourism and a layer of protection for homes and infrastructure. —Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 31 May 2024

The personal finance site analyzed 182 cities based on housing costs, the condition of local schools and healthcare institutions, and recreation opportunities. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024

The four men escaped the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on Sunday, May 26, while participating in their recreation time in the yard, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards said in a statement shared on Facebook that night. —Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024

Her intentionally shoddy recreations of big-name logos have been reposted and used as social media profile pictures by brands like McDonald’s, Tinder, and the NFL. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 May 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