recreate

1 of 3

verb (1)

rec·​re·​ate ˈre-krē-ˌāt 

recreated; recreating; recreates

transitive verb

: to give new life or freshness to : refresh

supporters of preservation hope to recreate the architectural splendor that the old movie theater had when it first opened

… it became late enough to suggest tea. We had got through one brew, and the three great minds were recreating themselves with cake, when there came another knock at the door …

—G. Dosset

intransitive verb

: to take recreation

an old summer resort where families have been recreating for over a century

recreative

ˈre-krē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

re-create

2 of 3

verb (2)

re-cre·​ate ˌrē-krē-ˈāt 

variants or recreate

re-created or recreated; re-creating or recreating; re-creates

transitive verb

: to create again

especially : to form anew in the imagination

re-creatable

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tə-bəl 

adjective

re-creation

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-shən 

noun

re-creative

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tiv 

adjective

re-creator

ˌrē-krē-ˈā-tər 

noun

recreation

3 of 3

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 recreate

Verb (1)

• restore
• revive
• refresh

Noun

• relaxation
• fun
• entertainment
• amusement
• enjoyment

Examples of recreate in a Sentence

Verb (1)

supporters of preservation hope to recreate the architectural splendor that the old movie theater had when it first opened

an old summer resort where families have been recreating for over a century

Verb (2)

The movie set re-creates a London street of 1895.

The scene of the crime was re-created based upon police photographs.

Noun

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

Verb

Fifth-graders were instructed to use the NASA website to find out what the sky looked like on their birthdays and re-create it in a painting. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Elsewhere, this same motif is re-created from plaster casts of marine rope alternating with teak inserts. —Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

Noun

In the last few decades, this old mill town has fine-tuned its offerings as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, craft beer, and live entertainment. —Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026

Why not invest just as seriously in recreation centers, evening sports leagues, arts programs, neighborhood events and summer employment opportunities designed specifically for teenagers? —Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English recreaten, borrowed from Latin recreāre "to make new, restore, revive" — more at recreation

Verb (2)

re- + create entry 1

Noun

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

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

1587, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing recreate

• recreation ground
• recreation room

Rhymes for recreate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

recreate

1 of 2 verb

rec·​re·​ate ˈrek-rē-ˌāt 

recreated; recreating

1

: to give new life or freshness to

2

: to take recreation

recreative

-ˌāt-iv

adjective

re-create

2 of 2 verb

re-cre·​ate

ˌrē-krē-ˈāt

: to create again especially in the imagination

re-creation

-ˈā-shən

noun

re-creative

-ˈāt-iv

adjective