Defining Recreation and Leisure

While recreation may be defined as those activities which an individual is not compelled to do, but rather which are chosen based upon the establishment of their value as being enjoyable, satisfying, interesting, diverting, or otherwise capable of sustaining pleasure for that individual, the exact method or application of recreation varies greatly from individual to individual.

That is, two individuals may agree that the best thing to do on a Saturday or after work is to engage in recreation, but the first will consider an afternoon at the art museum recreation, while the second may consider sports as a much more accurate expression of his or her recreative pleasure. The key or core elements being that the activity is beneficial by way of being amusing, stimulating, refreshing, or relaxing in some form, either physical, mental, or the combination of the two.

Leisure can be accurately defined as some measure of time from which a person is released from those responsibilities which normally or routinely pertain to the duties they are compelled to perform. This is most often used as an expression referring to the periods of time in which a person is freed from paid work at a job. However, leisure can also include times one is temporarily released from other compulsory, but unpaid duties, such as child care, home or other maintenance, or personal obligations and matters.

Recreation and leisure definitions, then, are at once established as containing the element of choice -- either an activity or non-activity which deviates from the normal or routine structure of compulsory activity -- and the element of satisfaction, by way of some attribute which the individual finds positive or pleasing. The specific methods of obtaining or spending recreation and leisure time, however, are those which vary greatly and can best be defined according to the specific subset of recreation or leisure to which they belong. In the recreation subset sports, for example, golfing is defined very differently from baseball.

Using an Online Dictionary to Find Recreation and Leisure Definitions

Online dictionaries can help you find the definitions to terms related to general recreation and leisure concepts as well as specific terms.

YourDictionary can assist in finding the recreation and leisure definitions you need in several ways. First, the synonym feature can help you find alternative and related words to recreation and leisure. Simply type in a single word, such as "recreation," and you will receive both the definition of and synonyms for recreation]. Clicking on the linked words in the synonym sections will take you to other definition pages and provide an expansive range of definitions relating to the original search term. For recreation, these terms include words such as fun, play, sport, amusement, and entertainment. Similarly, entering "leisure" into the yourDictionary search box yields synonyms such as ease, relaxation, and repose.

You can also search yourDictionary or general online dictionaries for specific leisure activities. For each term, you may be able to go deeper into that subject by clicking on linked synonyms or by clicking on links in the "Browse the Dictionary" section which provides helpful related words for terms you've entered. Let's say you've identified fishing as a method of recreation or leisure. When you enter this term, your "Browse the Dictionary" results will be related activities such as fishing expedition, fishing rod, and fishhook.

Recreation and Leisure Categories

Finding the leisure and recreation definitions you need can sometimes require specialized dictionaries or glossaries. In the Glossary Toolbar of yourDictionary, for example, you can browse specialized glossaries, including a section pertaining to recreation glossaries. This includes specialized dictionaries such as a Dictionary of Bowler's Terms, a Glossary of Climbing, and a Glossary of Ballooning.

Common areas of recreation and leisure include:

*Sports
**Team sports
**Individual sports
*Camping and ecologic pursuits
*Exercise
*Food and dining
*Festivals and fairs
*Art, crafts, and sewing
*Social clubs
*Shopping
*Media entertainment
**Books
**Magazines
**Movies
**Television
**Music
*Theater and drama
*Collecting, antiques, and hobbies
*Gaming
**Casinos
**Computer/interactive
**Gaming systems
*Literature
*Family activities
*Vacations
*Volunteering

Changing Definitions of Recreation and Leisure

Over time, the definitions of recreation and leisure change. The current rampant technological pastimes of web surfing, interactive gaming, and internet chat were non-existent in past decades and were preceded by other forms of entertainment. For a historic look at the various types of recreation and leisure and how these terms have evolved through time, Charles Scribner & Sons Publishing offers an 800 page Encyclopedia of Recreation and Leisure, which is available from fine book retailers and Amazon.com.

Related Articles