recreation
noun
rec·re·a·tion ˌre-krē-ˈā-shən 
: refreshment of strength and spirits after work
also : a means of refreshment or diversion : hobby
Synonyms
- dalliance
- frolic
- frolicking
- fun
- fun and games
- play
- relaxation
- rollicking
- sport
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The fields next to the school are used for recreation. decided to take a bike tour of the island for recreation and relaxation
Recent Examples on the Web The Fabelmans’ recreation of Escape to Nowhere, bearing the same title, will, naturally, bring to mind Private Ryan, and Spielberg echoes his own work elsewhere throughout his latest. 
Esther Zuckerman, Time, 14 Sep. 2022 Pitz promised perks like good prison jobs, extended recreation and restoration of lost privileges. Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Within the all items less food and energy category, prices were higher over the month for shelter, apparel, and recreation but lower for public transportation and other goods and services. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2022 Add popular pickleball to the recreation choices coming to Huntsville’s fast-growing MidCity District, the Huntsville Sports Commission said this weekend. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2022 While Wyoming and New Mexico aren’t growing as quickly, residents watch as two key reservoirs — popular recreation destinations — are drawn down to prop up Lake Powell. The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Despite her near-identical recreation of Roger's human toon wife, Klum made clear that the prosthetics used in this year's look pale in comparison to costumes of the past. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 But transportation, recreation, accommodation and food services prices, which rose most last year, surged to more than 6% in July, Tyler Atkinson and Xiaoqing Zhou, economists at the Dallas Federal Reserve, said in a report. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 While that effort comes nearly two years after residents for the first time in the city’s history passed a $4.5 million parks and recreation levy, there’s another park project in an obscure Seven Hills park that was also recently completed. John Benson, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Esther Zuckerman, Time, 14 Sep. 2022 Pitz promised perks like good prison jobs, extended recreation and restoration of lost privileges. Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Within the all items less food and energy category, prices were higher over the month for shelter, apparel, and recreation but lower for public transportation and other goods and services. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2022 Add popular pickleball to the recreation choices coming to Huntsville’s fast-growing MidCity District, the Huntsville Sports Commission said this weekend. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 12 Sep. 2022 While Wyoming and New Mexico aren’t growing as quickly, residents watch as two key reservoirs — popular recreation destinations — are drawn down to prop up Lake Powell. The Salt Lake Tribune, 12 Sep. 2022 Despite her near-identical recreation of Roger's human toon wife, Klum made clear that the prosthetics used in this year's look pale in comparison to costumes of the past. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 But transportation, recreation, accommodation and food services prices, which rose most last year, surged to more than 6% in July, Tyler Atkinson and Xiaoqing Zhou, economists at the Dallas Federal Reserve, said in a report. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 While that effort comes nearly two years after residents for the first time in the city’s history passed a $4.5 million parks and recreation levy, there’s another park project in an obscure Seven Hills park that was also recently completed. John Benson, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English recreacioun "act of refreshment, action of amusing," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin recreātiōn-, recreātiō "spiritual refreshment, amusement, new birth," going back to Latin, "act of restoring," from recreāre "to make new, restore, revive" (from re- re- + creāre "to bring into being, beget, give birth to") + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at create entry 1
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing recreation
Kids Definition
recreation
noun
rec·re·a·tion ˌrek-rē-ˈā-shən
: something done for fun and relaxation
We bike for recreation.
recreation 1 of 2
noun (1)
1
as in relaxation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself decided to take a bike tour of the island for recreation and relaxation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- relaxation
- fun
- entertainment
- amusement
- enjoyment
- sport
- play
- frolicking
- rollicking
- pleasure
- frolic
- dalliance
- diversion
- hobby
- pastime
- playfulness
- fun and games
- romping
- delight
- pleasance
- gamboling
- merrymaking
- mischief
- sportiveness
- hobbyhorse
- revel
- devilment
- revelry
- merriment
- roguishness
- friskiness
- kick
- lark
- hilarity
- horseplay
- rascality
- tomfoolery
- spree
- gambolling
- rollick
- buffoonery
- devilry
- high jinks
- jinks
- wantonness
- hob
- mischievousness
- whoopee
- binge
- waggery
- fling
- impishness
- hijinks
- deviltry
- knavery
- hanky-panky
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- work
- labor
- drudgery
- duty
- responsibility
- obligation
2
as in entertainment
someone or something that provides amusement or enjoyment bowling is great recreation on a rainy afternoon Synonyms & Similar Words
- entertainment
- diversion
- fun
- delight
- pleasure
- activity
- divertissement
- picnic
- distraction
- pastime
- festivity
- escape
- game
- lark
- romp
- merrymaking
- frolicking
- rollicking
- revel
- frolic
- jollification
- gambol
- spree
- carousing
- revelry
- hilarity
- conviviality
- reveling
- jollity
- riot
- gaiety
- binge
- time killer
- fling
- rollick
- gayety
- whoopee
- scream
- revelling
- laugh
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- drag
- bore
- downer
- bummer
- killjoy
- party pooper
3
as in amusement
the act or activity of providing pleasure or amusement especially for the public water parks have become a significant part of the recreation business Synonyms & Similar Words
- entertainment
- amusement
- enjoyment
- diversion
- production
- performance
- presentation
- relaxation
- distraction
- show
- nightlife
- mirth
- gratification
- exhibition
- joy
- spectacle
- escapism
- relief
- presentment
- satisfaction
- show business
- delight
- delectation
4
as in sport
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure as with other men of his class and income, his principal recreations were polo and yachting Synonyms & Similar Words
- sport
- amusement
- hobby
- entertainment
- pursuit
- avocation
- relaxation
- pastime
- diversion
- hobbyhorse
- distraction
re-creation
2 of 2noun (2)
as in restoration
Synonyms & Similar Words
- restoration
- reclamation
- reconstruction
- rehabilitation
- remodeling
- refurbishment
- renovation
- revival
- rehab
- rebirth
- revitalization
- resurrection
- recuperation
- regeneration
- rejuvenation
- recovery
- facelift
- repairing
- restoral
- renaissance
- fixing
- reinvention
- regeneracy
- resuscitation
- revivification
- renewal
- resurgence
- renascence
- reanimation
- mending
- rejuvenescence
- reactivation
- rally