relaxation

American  

[ree-lak-sey-shuhn] / ˌri lækˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

1. abatement or relief from bodily or mental work, effort, application, etc.

2. an activity or recreation that provides such relief; diversion; entertainment.

   Synonyms:

   pleasure, amusement, fun

3. a loosening or slackening.

4. diminution or remission of strictness or severity.

5. Mathematics. a numerical procedure for solving systems of equations by successive approximations of the variables.

6. Physics.

   1. the return of a system undergoing dissipation to an initial state of equilibrium after being displaced from it.

   2. the approach to steady-state operation of a system that has undergone dissipation and a change in state or has been subjected to an abrupt periodic disturbance.

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relaxation British  

/ ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. rest or refreshment, as after work or effort; recreation

2. a form of rest or recreation

   his relaxation is cricket

3. a partial lessening of a punishment, duty, etc

4. the act of relaxing or state of being relaxed

5. physics the return of a system to equilibrium after a displacement from this state

6. maths a method by which errors resulting from an approximation are reduced by using new approximations

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Other Word Forms

• nonrelaxation noun

Etymology

Origin of relaxation

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin relaxātiōn- (stem of relaxātiō ), equivalent to relaxāt ( us ) (past participle of relaxāre to relax; -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

All-inclusive resorts typically offer unlimited food, drinks and relaxation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their occasional holidays tended to have a single goal: complete relaxation.

From BBC

“Private access to nature and equestrian adventures, plus world-famous ocean beaches and Village living, make this the ultimate dream home for relaxation and rejuvenation in the Hamptons for generations.”

From MarketWatch

Even Verstappen, who has looked relaxation personified so far this weekend, admitted to some nerves before qualifying, but said that he fed off them, and they had help him perform.

From BBC

“Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”

From Salon

Related Words

• enjoyment
• leisure
• loosening
• mitigation
• pleasure
• recreation
• relief