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

Film fans can also watch family-friendly movies during June and July in Luckie Park, a public recreation area. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Golf is becoming part of a broader cultural pivot away from hustle culture and toward slower, intentional recreation— something people can enjoy without the pressure of tracking metrics or hitting personal records. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

According to the county, the earthen dam is about 74 feet tall and was finished in 1974 to provide flood control, public recreation and potential water supply. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025

Back in the Boise area, Henry warned drivers traveling over the holiday weekend, including to recreation areas in McCall, of road hazards as temperatures finally drop after the unseasonably warm month. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 28 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