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

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

If a typical beach town is laid-back, Grayton Beach is fully reclining—in a hammock with an ice-cold margarita. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 June 2026

First class will feature six private suites with a separate reclining seat and full 80-inch bed in a 1-1-1 configuration, in addition to a plethora of other amenities. — Edward Russell, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2026

You’re seated in a theater, one thankfully with reclining chairs. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 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