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

relaxation

noun

/ˌriːlækˈseɪʃn/

[uncountable, countable] a way of resting and enjoying yourself; time spent resting and enjoying yourself
- I go hill-walking for relaxation.
- Fishing is his favourite relaxation.
- a few days of relaxation
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
Extra Examples
- She listens to classical music for relaxation.
- a chance for relaxation from work
- I listen to music for relaxation.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- deep
- great
- complete
- …
verb + relaxation
- aid
- cause
- induce
- …
relaxation + noun
- exercise
- technique
- tape
- …
preposition
- for relaxation
- relaxation from
phrases
- a form of relaxation
- a kind of relaxation
- rest and relaxation
- …
See full entry
[uncountable] the state of feeling calm and not anxious or worried
- Some people take up yoga to aid relaxation.
- It's a good idea to learn some relaxation techniques.
Extra Examples
- an environment that promotes physical and mental relaxation
- a popular herb known to induce relaxation
- He goes to relaxation classes.
- Try listening to a relaxation tape before you go to sleep.
[uncountable] the fact of a part of the body, especially a muscle, becoming less tight
- an ointment that helps muscle relaxation
- drugs that cause the relaxation of the muscle
[uncountable, countable, usually singular] the act of making a rule or some form of control less strict or severe
- the relaxation of foreign currency controls
- a relaxation of travel restrictions
Extra Examples
- The government has promised further relaxations in foreign exchange controls.
- a relaxation in the rules
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- further
- general
- slight
- …
verb + relaxation
- call for
preposition
- relaxation in
- relaxation of
See full entry

Word Originlate Middle English (denoting partial remission of a penalty): from Latin relaxatio(n-), from the verb relaxare, from re- (expressing intensive force) + laxus ‘lax, loose’.

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

Check pronunciation: relaxation

Nearby words

halfway

adverb

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