recreation

UK: /ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃ^ən/, /ˌriːkriˈeɪʃ^ən/

US: /ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən/

US: (rek′rē ā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

rec•re•a•tion /ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən/   n. 

1. refreshment by means of a pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like, as a way of relaxing:
   [uncountable] a means of recreation.
   [countable] recreations such as sports and reading.

rec•re•a•tion•al, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

recreation / ˌrɛkrɪˈeɪʃən/ noun

1. refreshment of health or spirits by relaxation and enjoyment
2. an activity or pastime that promotes this
3. an interval of free time between school lessons
4. (as modifier): recreation period

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

re-cre•a•tion  (rē′krē ā′shən), n. 

1. the act of creating anew.
2. something created anew.

• re- + creation 1515–25

rec•re•a•tion  (rek′rē ā′shən), n. 

1. refreshment by means of some pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like.
2. a pastime, diversion, exercise, or other resource affording relaxation and enjoyment.

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

rec′re•a′tion•al, rec•re•a•to•ry  (rek′rē ə tôr′ē, -tōr′ē), adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

re-creation noun

1. the state or instance of creating again or anew: the re-creation of a once-defunct club
2. a simulation or re-enactment of a scene, place, time, etc: a re-creation of a vineyard kitchen