How to pronounce recreation
Say it like rek-ree-AY-shun. Recreation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce recreation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rek
- ree
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Recreation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rekGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of recreation
American and British speakers say recreation in essentially the same way: /ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /ˌrɛkrɪˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: rek-rih-AY-shun.
What does recreation mean?
- an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates“scuba diving is provided as a diversion for tourists”“for recreation he wrote poetry and solved crossword puzzles”
- activity that refreshes and recreates; activity that renews your health and spirits by enjoyment and relaxation“time for rest and refreshment by the pool”“days of joyous recreation with his friends”
Where does recreation come from?
From Middle English recreacion, from Middle French recreacion, from Old French recreacion, from Latin recreātiō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with recreation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of recreation.
Questions about saying recreation
How do you pronounce recreation?
Say rek-ree-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌrɛkrɪˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in recreation?
Recreation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (AY). Broken into parts: rek · ree · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say recreation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌrɛkriˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ˌrɛkrɪˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.