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 rink offers more than recreation. —Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025

Working group member and LJCPA trustee Patrick Ahern said the space would be used more for resting or a place to talk rather than recreation. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025

And there was a lot of dislike in the communities between the recreation charter boats and the commercial fleet. —Dan Morrison, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

The film’s trailer, released today, shows Knight and his investigative team, including co-producers Fiona Turner and Terri Lichstein, retracing photographers’ steps that day in Vietnam, both on the ground and through a 3D recreation of the scene on the road to Trảng Bàng, where the napalm fell. —Maria Fontoura, Rolling Stone, 7 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