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

Not all seats are designed to recline, particularly those near exit rows. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Don’t miss this two-in-one porch swing that reclines to create a daybed. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2026

All rooms have a remote that will give patients the ability to watch TV, recline the bed, call their nurse and see details about their care on a nearby screen, including diagnosis information and the names of the nurses and doctors attending to them. —Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

Shifting into a reclined or sitting‑back position increases surface area, helping the body float. —Outside, 5 Mar. 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
• byline
• canine

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