relaxation

[ ree-lak-sey-shuhn ]

noun

1. abatement or relief from bodily or mental work, effort, application, etc.
2. an activity or recreation that provides such relief; diversion; entertainment.

   Synonyms: pleasure, amusement, fun

3. a loosening or slackening.
4. diminution or remission of strictness or severity.
5. Mathematics. a numerical procedure for solving systems of equations by successive approximations of the variables.
6. Physics.
   1. the return of a system undergoing dissipation to an initial state of equilibrium after being displaced from it.
   2. the approach to steady-state operation of a system that has undergone dissipation and a change in state or has been subjected to an abrupt periodic disturbance.

relaxation

/ ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. rest or refreshment, as after work or effort; recreation
2. a form of rest or recreation

   his relaxation is cricket

3. a partial lessening of a punishment, duty, etc
4. the act of relaxing or state of being relaxed
5. physics the return of a system to equilibrium after a displacement from this state
6. maths a method by which errors resulting from an approximation are reduced by using new approximations

Other Words From

• nonre·lax·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of relaxation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin relaxātiōn- (stem of relaxātiō ), equivalent to relaxāt ( us ) (past participle of relaxāre to relax; -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Much of that concern stems from the relaxation of telehealth regulations that allowed doctors to prescribe oral ketamine tablets to patients at home, rather than having it be administered intravenously in a clinic.

From Salon

Facing a mass exodus of advertisers over his relaxation of the platform's user speech policies, the entrepreneur also monetised elements of the site to raise revenue.

From BBC

But the real benefit is the deep relaxation and sense of being cared for that comes from someone expertly massaging your head in warm water for an hour.

From Los Angeles Times

After the massage, we were escorted to the relaxation room and enjoyed a glass of champagne before heading back into the world.

From Salon

The Manchester City striker would no doubt have preferred to have been at the Euros with Norway but they failed to qualify so it was a summer of chores and relaxation instead.

From BBC

Related Words

• enjoyment
• leisure
• loosening
• mitigation
• pleasure
• recreation
• relief