recreational

adjective

rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al ˌre-krē-ˈā-shnəl 

-shə-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

But since New Mexico legalized recreational pot in 2021 El Pasoans can simply cross the state line and find some 20 upscale dispensaries in the city of Sunland Park. —John Burnett, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025

Right now, over 30 states have legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use, but federal law still bans it. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 10 Jan. 2025

In states where both medical and recreational marijuana are legal, fewer patients are filling prescriptions for medications used to treat anxiety. —Ashley Bradford, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025

Twenty-four states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. —Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025

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