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

• dalliance
• frolic
• frolicking
• fun
• fun and games
• play
• relaxation
• rollicking
• sport

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

Help beautify Quarry park Saratoga parks and recreation commissioners are inviting the community to help beautify Quarry Park and its trails on Saturday, Jan. 25, 9 a.m.-noon. —Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2025

There was a sense of normalcy among the kids gathered at the recreation center, despite the upheaval in their families’ lives. —Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025

There will be new schools, new churches, new recreation centers. —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

Site plans include an amphitheater with riverfront views, condominiums and a recreation trail. —Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 16 Jan. 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

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