recreation

American  

[rek-ree-ey-shuhn] / ˌrɛk riˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. refreshment by means of some pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like.

2. a pastime, diversion, exercise, or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment.

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recreation British  

/ ˌrɛkrɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. refreshment of health or spirits by relaxation and enjoyment

2. an activity or pastime that promotes this

3. 1. an interval of free time between school lessons

   2. ( as modifier )

      recreation period

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Other Word Forms

• recreatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of recreation

1350–1400; Middle English recreacioun (< Middle French recreation ) < Latin recreātiōn- (stem of recreātiō ) restoration, recovery, equivalent to recreāt ( us ) ( see recreate) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

The word recreation is a noun meaning just about anything you do for fun: bowling, flying a model airplane, or just swimming the English Channel. If you do it to relax, recharge your batteries, or just to amuse yourself, it's probably recreation. You might think by looking at the word that recreation means remaking something, and, in a sense you'd be right. A person involved in recreation is "re-creating" themselves. The whole point of recreation, as the original Latin word recreare implies, is to refresh and renew. After a week behind a desk, you might be feeling worn down and tired. A weekend of recreation will help bring you back to life. So get out there and do the things you love to do!

Example Sentences

A group of Native American activists occupied the land during a period between 1969 and 1971, and in 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area under National Park Service management.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

China also recently issued a guideline advancing child-friendly development more broadly, calling for improvements in schooling, medical care, travel, sports, and recreation.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

"Even if the above proposition is wrong, it is clear that the land was never used or laid out for public recreation."

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

Its fantastical sets feature a recreation of Kahlo’s canopy bed from which a tree with artery-like limbs stretches toward the sky.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

At the local recreation center Silly and I performed as the Shirondas in the annual fall talent show.

From "Kira-Kira" by Cynthia Kadohata

Related Words

• amusement
• diversion
• enjoyment
• fun
• hobby
• pleasure
• relaxation