recreational

adjective

rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al ˌre-krē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of recreation

a recreational area

recreational activities

2

: of or relating to recreational drugs or their use

a recreational drug user

Colorado's burgeoning marijuana industry had struggled under its own astonishing success since legal recreational sales began Jan. 1.

—David Migoya

recreationally adverb

Examples of recreational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the listing, the property’s five parcels also leave room for future homes, wellness spaces, or other recreational uses. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026

Much of the two acres is wooded, but Bejster said roughly half the trees and other plants will be removed as recreational elements are installed. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Through a national network of 11,000 senior centers, over 1 million older adults in these communities have access to recreational care and activities. — Eric Cerino, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026

Neither drug has any recreational use, and both are relatively easy to get with a prescription. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

recreation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recreational

• recreational drug
• recreational vehicle

Rhymes for recreational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational
• vibrational