recline

verb

re·​cline ri-ˈklīn 

reclined; reclining

transitive verb

: to cause or permit to incline backwards

intransitive verb

1

: to lean or incline backwards

2

: repose, lie

Examples of recline in a Sentence

She was reclining on the sofa, watching TV.

The theater has reclining seats.

He reclined his seat so that he could nap more comfortably.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the seats do not lie flat, JSX only operates short-haul flights, so their standard reclining capabilities, paired with extra legroom, is comfortable enough. — Annie Archer, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Relax on this outdoor set, which includes two reclining chairs. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026

There's nowhere else to be at sunset, reclined on a beanbag, cocktail in hand, as the Maldives' paint chart of bright blues morphs into a canvas of ambers, pinks, peaches, and golds. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026

Kids can open the side latch to reveal a playset area complete with reclining seats and overhead compartments for carry-on luggage. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French recliner, from Latin reclinare, from re- + clinare to bend — more at lean

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for recline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• brucine
• byline

Kids Definition

recline

verb

re·​cline ri-ˈklīn 

reclined; reclining

1

: to lean or cause to lean backwards

2

: repose entry 1 sense 2, lie

reclining on the sofa