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

Virginia lawmakers on Monday approved legislation to legalize and regulate retail sales of recreational marijuana, sending the measure to the governor’s desk for her consideration, cannabis news outlet Marijuana Moment reported. — A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Seminole County leaders on Monday joined Sanford and state transportation officials to open the latest leg of the Lake Monroe Loop, a paved recreational trail that when completed will fully wrap around the scenic waterway. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 June 2026

The watershed provides drinking water, forms a critical habitat for fish and other wildlife and creates recreational spaces for the community, the board wrote. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026

Living conditions in the camps were pleasant under the circumstances and included barracks housing, recreational activities, and creative and educational opportunities. — Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 20 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