recline

[ ri-klahyn ]

verb (used without object)

, re·clined, re·clin·ing.

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

verb (used with object)

, re·clined, re·clin·ing.

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

recline

/ rɪˈklaɪn; ˌrɛklɪˈneɪʃən /

verb

1. to rest or cause to rest in a leaning position

Derived Forms

• reˈclinable, adjective
• reclination, noun

Other Words From

• re·clina·ble adjective
• rec·li·na·tion [rek-l, uh, -, ney, -sh, uh, n], noun
• half-re·clined adjective
• half-re·clining adjective
• unre·clined adjective
• unre·clining adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of recline¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of recline¹

C15: from Old French recliner , from Latin reclīnāre to lean back, from re- + clīnāre to lean ¹

Example Sentences

There are no vibration functions and it doesn’t recline, but for a simple, lightweight massage chair, this is great for apartments and small spaces.

From Popular-Science

These large chairs can recline and raise your legs above your chest.

From Popular-Science

You won’t be folding yourself into your doll-sized coach seat only to have the lady in front of you recline, so that now only one of your lungs can inflate.

From Washington Post

I’m not sure what points I’m hitting every time I recline on its stabby array, but with a few minutes of wiggling and microadjustments, I never fail to find something that feels good.

From Outside Online

So in order for you to recline to a position that you might want to be in, you will need to essentially either put force into it if you’re a light body type in order to hold yourself in that position.

From Time

The incidents have sparked wide debate about whether passengers should opt to recline at all.

From The Daily Beast

But of course someone always will recline her seat, like the people in the first row, or the woman in front of me, whom I hate.

From The Daily Beast

Round the three walls is a raised daīs called "lewan," covered with rugs or mattresses, on which the guests recline.

From Project Gutenberg

To move, stand, or recline in an indolent or relaxed manner.

From Project Gutenberg

Passengers will please recline in their bunks and fasten the retaining straps before the steward arrives.

From Project Gutenberg

I asked him to cause her to pass out of her ecstacy, and recline on the bed.

From Project Gutenberg

Bruce and Emmie had the railway carriage to themselves, and the invalid was thus able to recline as on a couch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• loll
• lounge
• sprawl
• stretch out