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

The photo is a recreation of a snap taken 11 years earlier, when Casie was just 5 years old. —Amy McCarthy, PEOPLE, 15 Nov. 2025

Eight three-story and six four-story apartment buildings make up the community along with learning centers, a fitness studio, courtyards and community lounges, recreation and play areas and surface parking. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Nov. 2025

During the event, the first president's former estate is transformed into a recreation of an 18th-century winter encampment, where visitors can watch a blacksmith at work or purchase wares from artisans specializing in historic crafts. —Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 14 Nov. 2025

In addition, the gallery will stage a small recreation of the sculpture studio inside Pucci’s New York City headquarters/gallery. —David Moin, Footwear News, 12 Nov. 2025

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

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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