Definition of recreation noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

recreation

noun

/ˌrekriˈeɪʃn/

[uncountable] the fact of people doing things for pleasure, when they are not working
- the need to improve facilities for leisure and recreation
- the increasing use of land for recreation
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- popular
- informal
- physical
- …
recreation + noun
- area
- centre/center
- facilities
- …
preposition
- for recreation
phrases
- a form of recreation
See full entry
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[countable] a particular activity that somebody does when they are not working synonym hobby, pastime
- His recreations include golf, football and shooting.
Synonyms entertainment
entertainmentfun ▪ recreation ▪ relaxation ▪ play ▪ pleasure ▪ amusementThese are all words for things or activities used to entertain people when they are not working.
entertainment films, television, music, etc. used to entertain people:
There are three bars, with live entertainment seven nights a week.
fun (rather informal) behaviour or activities that are not serious but are meant to be enjoyed:
It wasn’t serious—it was all done in fun.
We didn’t mean to hurt him. It was just a bit of fun.
The lottery provides harmless fun for millions.
recreation (rather formal) things people do for pleasure when they are not working:
His only form of recreation is playing football.
relaxation (rather formal) things people do to rest and enjoy themselves when they are not working; the ability to relax:
I go hill-walking for relaxation.
recreation or relaxation?Both these words can be used for a wide range of activities, physical and mental, but relaxation is sometimes used for gentler activities than recreation: I play the flute in a wind band for recreation. • I listen to music for relaxation.
play things that people, especially children, do for pleasure rather than as work:
the happy sounds of children at play
pleasure the activity of enjoying yourself, especially in contrast to working:
Are you in Paris for business or pleasure?
amusement the fact of being entertained by something:
What do you do for amusement round here?
Patterns
- to do something for entertainment/fun/recreation/relaxation/pleasure/amusement
- to provide entertainment/fun/recreation/relaxation/amusement
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- popular
- informal
- physical
- …
recreation + noun
- area
- centre/center
- facilities
- …
preposition
- for recreation
phrases
- a form of recreation
See full entry

Word Originlate Middle English (also in the sense ‘mental or spiritual consolation’): via Old French from Latin recreatio(n-), from recreare ‘create again, renew’.

See recreation in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee recreation in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English

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perfectly

adverb

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