Synonyms

recline

American

[ri-klahyn] / rɪˈklaɪn /

verb (used without object)

reclined, reclining

to lean or lie back; rest in a recumbent position.

verb (used with object)

reclined, reclining

to cause to lean back on something; place in a recumbent position.

recline British

/ rɪˈklaɪn, ˌrɛklɪˈneɪʃən /

verb

to rest or cause to rest in a leaning position

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

half-reclined adjective
half-reclining adjective
reclinable adjective
reclination noun
unreclined adjective
unreclining adjective

Etymology

Origin of recline

1375–1425; late Middle English reclinen < Latin reclīnāre, equivalent to re- re- + clīnāre to lean ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Calligraphy is a bower of abundance, where visitors can recline in plushly padded, heated and ventilated captain’s chairs, dressed in high-grade Nappa leather: the Relaxation Mode seating package.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

You ignore it picking up while you make your nest: secure the corners of your blanket, adjust your umbrella and finally, comfortably recline.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2025

The seats themselves can recline into two-metre long, fully flat beds.

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024

Several of the ladies are now wearing pink sweats and snuggle on pink blankets on the floor or recline on hot pink blow up chairs to watch — what else? — the “Barbie” movie.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2023

The colonists took the sachem to an unfinished house and gave him some cushions to recline on.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023