recline

verb

re·​cline ri-ˈklīn 

reclined; reclining

transitive verb

: to cause or permit to incline backwards

intransitive verb

1

: to lean or incline backwards

2

: repose, lie

Examples of recline in a Sentence

She was reclining on the sofa, watching TV.

The theater has reclining seats.

He reclined his seat so that he could nap more comfortably.

Recent Examples on the Web

This delightfully confusing creation from Slovenian designer Lara Bohinc features a shiny aluminum chair physically held within the arms of a reclining mahogany copy of the chair below. —Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

What that means for Grindr users right now is that their profile grid will always contain one square devoted to Madonna, reclining in a fuchsia body stalking with zebra stripes projected over her. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2026

The actor reclines in his bed at the El Paisano Hotel in Marfa, Texas, during the production of Giant. —Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2026

With adjustable leg rests and no arm rests in the way, passengers can recline or lay flat across the sofa-like space. —Emma Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French recliner, from Latin reclinare, from re- + clinare to bend — more at lean

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for recline

• affine
• airline
• align
• aline
• assign
• baseline
• beamline
• benign
• bloodline
• bovine
• byline
• canine

Kids Definition

recline

verb

re·​cline ri-ˈklīn 

reclined; reclining

1

: to lean or cause to lean backwards

2

: repose entry 1 sense 2, lie

reclining on the sofa