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 of recreation

• relaxation
• fun
• entertainment
• amusement
• enjoyment

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 university, Lincoln Sabini worked on the student farm, was a member of the triathlon sports club and was a swimming instructor with campus recreation. —Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026

Last July, construction site superintendent Robby Robertson warned his $20 million recreation center project in Mobile, Alabama, would likely be delayed for three weeks. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 May 2026

The arts in conjunction with green space, public space, open space, recreation, and relaxation. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

The report sparked a blistering response from Parks Director Christopher Cotten, who argued the auditors shared false or inaccurate information and failed to understand how parks and recreation programming works. —Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2026

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

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

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