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

Guests staying there have access to the dining and recreational facilities here. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

The resort has also promoted special long-stay and resident rates from AED595 ($162) per night, including credits redeemable across dining, wellness and recreational facilities. —Melanie Swan, CNN Money, 1 June 2026

The renovation transformed Golf Mill Park into a modern, multi-use recreational destination. —Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026

Meat and fins of many shark species are highly valued, and they are targeted and taken as bycatch in commercial and recreational fisheries, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 June 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