relaxation

[ ree-lak-sey-shuhn ]
/ ˌri lækˈseɪ ʃən /

noun

abatement or relief from bodily or mental work, effort, application, etc.
an activity or recreation that provides such relief; diversion; entertainment.
a loosening or slackening.
diminution or remission of strictness or severity.
Mathematics. a numerical procedure for solving systems of equations by successive approximations of the variables.
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.

Origin of relaxation

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin relaxātiōn- (stem of relaxātiō), equivalent to relaxāt(us) (past participle of relaxāre to relax; see -ate1) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM relaxation

non·re·lax·a·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for relaxation

British Dictionary definitions for relaxation

relaxation
/ (ˌriːlækˈseɪʃən) /

noun

rest or refreshment, as after work or effort; recreation
a form of rest or recreation his relaxation is cricket
a partial lessening of a punishment, duty, etc
the act of relaxing or state of being relaxed
physics the return of a system to equilibrium after a displacement from this state
maths a method by which errors resulting from an approximation are reduced by using new approximations

Medical definitions for relaxation

relaxation
[ rē′lăk-sāshən ]

n.

The act of relaxing or the state of being relaxed.
Refreshment of body or mind.
A loosening or slackening.
The lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers.