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

Read on for more can’t-miss clearance picks, including a reclining loveseat, a three-piece table set, and a sleek storage bench that pulls double duty. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026

My advice for watching the Perseids or any other meteor shower is to lie back on the ground or a reclining lawn chair and roll your eyes all around the sky. — Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026

Seating is available on both the upper and lower levels, with wide, reclining chairs and no middle spots. — Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026

Instead of simply reclining backward, the seat moves forward and up, so your legs and back are slightly elevated in a more comfortable position. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 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