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

As part of the city’s annual budget process, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria released a 40-page analysis in April ranking the city’s 56 recreation centers based on what the report considered their importance to their communities. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026

The opening credits have also led to some viral social media recreations. —Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

District 7 also has strong economic potential, including opportunities connected to sports, recreation, and community assets such as the San Jose Giants, the Barracuda, San José State athletics, Los Lagos Golf Course, and more. —Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

However, consumers didn’t pull back on most discretionary purchases and increased their spending on recreation and restaurants, Thursday’s report showed. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 28 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