leisure

noun lei·sure \ ˈlē-zhər , ˈle- , ˈlā- \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of leisure

1 : freedom provided by the cessation of activities; especially : time free from work or duties

increase of leisure, diminution of hustle are the ends to be sought
—Bertrand Russell

2 : ease, leisureliness

—

leisure

adjective

— at leisure or at one's leisure

: in one's leisure time : at one's convenience

read the book at her leisure

See leisure defined for English-language learners

See leisure defined for kids

Examples of leisure in a Sentence

I don't have much time for leisure.
upon retiring, the elderly couple looked forward to a life of well-deserved leisure

Recent Examples of leisure from the Web

Who’s It For? Long-distance commuters, gravel riders, and weekend leisure riders.

— ty brookhart, Outside Online, "Yamaha Just Launched Its First Electric Bicycles," 3 Apr. 2018
The study, in JAMA Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, tracked injuries related to driving, work, and leisure or sports.

— nicholas bakalar, New York Times, "Hearing Loss May Make You Accident Prone," 27 Mar. 2018
South Africa’s leisure facilities are a great attraction for tourists and every effort is being made to ensure their sustainability.

— National Geographic, "South Africa is Setting the Standard for Water Wise Tourism," 22 Mar. 2018
Sixty-two percent of voters said 'yes' to $56 million for renovating and improving parks, recreation and leisure facilities.

— staff report, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Pompano voters approve ballot referendums," 14 Mar. 2018
Rahm's world, through the lens of the podcast, is filled with family discussions over the dinner table, frequent outings to restaurants and bars, exotic vacations, and plenty of leisure reading.

— maya dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "Rahm’s Chicago Stories podcast takes you inside the mind of the mayor," 14 Mar. 2018
Strange Carolina, a travel and leisure website, has created a North Carolina beer bracket to settle once and for all the Tar Heel state’s king of beer.

— lavendrick smith, charlotteobserver, "It’s the March Madness of North Carolina beer. Where will Charlotte breweries rank? | Charlotte Observer," 13 Mar. 2018
Goddess sports bras provide great comfort and stability, and are a great option for both fitness and leisure.

— louise green, SELF, "40 of the Best Plus-Size Fitness Brands You Need to Know," 10 Mar. 2018
My leisure reading limits itself to billboards advertising the latest energy drink, ingredients lists on ketchup bottles, washing instructions on clothing tags: Do not bleach.

— christina dalcher, Time, "What If Women Could Only Say 100 Words Per Day? This New Book Imagines Exactly That," 8 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leisure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of leisure

Middle English leiser, from Anglo-French leisir, from leisir to be permitted, from Latin licēre — see ¹license

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First Known Use: 14th century

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leisure Synonyms

LEISURE Defined for English Language Learners

leisure

noun

Definition of leisure for English Language Learners

: time when you are not working : time when you can do whatever you want to do
: enjoyable activities that you do when you are not working

LEISURE Defined for Kids

leisure

noun lei·sure \ ˈlē-zhər \

Definition of leisure for Students

: free time

— at leisure or at someone's leisure

1 : in a way that is not hurried

2 : when there is free time available

3 : not busy

Learn More about leisure

See words that rhyme with leisure Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for leisure Spanish Central: Translation of leisure Nglish: Translation of leisure for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of leisure for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about leisure

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leisure

Definition of leisure

leisure

Examples of leisure in a Sentence

Recent Examples of leisure from the Web

Origin and Etymology of leisure

leisure Synonyms

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Antonyms

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LEISURE Defined for English Language Learners

leisure

Definition of leisure for English Language Learners

LEISURE Defined for Kids

leisure

Definition of leisure for Students

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