recreational

adjective

rec·​re·​a·​tion·​al ˌre-krē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nəl 

1

: of, relating to, or characteristic of recreation

a recreational area

recreational activities

2

: of or relating to recreational drugs or their use

a recreational drug user

Colorado's burgeoning marijuana industry had struggled under its own astonishing success since legal recreational sales began Jan. 1.

—David Migoya

recreationally adverb

Examples of recreational in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

West Hill Pond is a 245-acre public pond that serves as a wildlife habitat while providing such recreational opportunities as fishing, swimming and, with its state boat launch ramp, boating. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026

During National Infertility Awareness Week, experts are drawing attention to the potential negative impact of both recreational and medical cannabis on male reproductive health. —Shiv Sudhakar, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Sportsmen’s groups generally connect recreational shooters and hunters, and at the congressional level the caucus is bipartisan. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Apr. 2026

Given that its original purpose was more functional than recreational, food onboard was long an afterthought. —Karen Gardiner, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

recreation + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recreational

• recreational drug
• recreational vehicle

Rhymes for recreational

• formational
• foundational
• gestational
• gradational
• locational
• mutational
• nonrational
• notational
• relational
• rotational
• sensational
• translational