relaxation

relaxation — noun

1. a condition in which you are calm and free from worry, with your body and mind n

1.nounB1
Definition

a condition in which you are calm and free from worry, with your body and mind no longer under strain

Example

Anya felt a deep sense of relaxation after her yoga class.

deep sense of + relaxation collocation

The warm bath helped Hiro achieve complete relaxation before bed.

achieve + complete relaxation

Common collocations
  • deep relaxation
  • complete relaxation
  • total relaxation
  • a sense of relaxation
  • a state of relaxation
  • a feeling of relaxation
Synonyms
  • calm

    focuses more on the absence of agitation or noise; can describe a person's state during stress rather than after release

  • peace

    a broader state of quiet and harmony, often with external or spiritual connotations; 'peace of mind'

  • ease

    freedom from difficulty or discomfort; less intense than relaxation and more about comfort than unwinding

Antonyms
  • tension

    the opposite physical and mental state of tightness and strain

  • stress

    pressure or worry that prevents a relaxed state

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — cannot be used in the plural for this meaning. Common in the phrases 'a sense of relaxation', 'a state of relaxation', and 'a feeling of relaxation'.

Common Mistakes

My relaxation is to read a book.
Reading a book helps me relax.
For referring to an activity, use the verb 'relax' or the countable sense 2 ('leisure activity'). This sense describes the feeling, not the activity that causes it.

2. something enjoyable that you choose to do during your free time to rest and stop

2.nounB1
Definition

something enjoyable that you choose to do during your free time to rest and stop worrying

Example

Sewing is a quiet form of relaxation that Noor enjoys after work.

form of + relaxation

Piotr finds that painting is a wonderful form of creative relaxation.

creative relaxation

Common collocations
  • form of relaxation
  • for relaxation
  • favourite relaxation
  • creative relaxation
  • quiet relaxation
Synonyms
  • recreation

    more active or organised activities; often involves games or sports rather than quiet pastimes

  • leisure

    refers to free time itself rather than the activity; 'leisure activities' not 'a leisure'

  • hobby

    a regular activity done for pleasure in one's spare time, often involving skill or learning

Antonyms
  • work

    the main activity that occupies one's time and energy, opposite of leisure

Usage Note

Can be countable ('His favourite relaxations are reading and hiking') or uncountable ('I need some relaxation'). The countable form names a specific activity; the uncountable form refers to the general concept of unwinding through leisure.

Common Mistakes

I need some relaxations after work.
I need some relaxation after work.
Even when referring to activities, 'relaxation' is usually uncountable. The countable plural 'relaxations' is rare and very formal.

3. the process of reducing how strict an official rule, law, or system of control i

3.nounB2
Definition

the process of reducing how strict an official rule, law, or system of control is, making it easier to follow

Example

The government announced a relaxation of travel rules for vaccinated visitors.

relaxation of + travel rules

Companies welcomed the relaxation of safety rules in the old factory.

Common collocations
  • relaxation of rules
  • relaxation of laws
  • relaxation of controls
  • relaxation of restrictions
  • relaxation of standards
  • gradual relaxation
  • further relaxation
Synonyms
  • easing

    more gradual and less official in tone; common in economics ('easing of monetary policy')

  • loosening

    less formal and more direct; suggests physical or structural flexibility

  • reduction

    general decrease in amount or degree; not specific to rules or restrictions

Antonyms
  • tightening

    the opposite action of making rules stricter or more strictly enforced

  • restriction

    the act of limiting or controlling, rather than loosening control

Usage Note

Always uncountable. Typically followed by 'of' and the rule or restriction being loosened. Common in formal or journalistic contexts about laws, regulations, trade policies, and institutional rules. Not used for personal or informal situations.

Common Mistakes

The relaxation of the economy worried investors.
The relaxation of banking rules worried investors.
'Relaxation of' is used for rules, laws, or restrictions, not for general conditions like the economy itself.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Relaxation, calm, peace, ease, and serenity all describe a state free from stress or worry, but they differ in scope and connotation. Relaxation specifically suggests the release of tension — the process of unwinding after effort or strain. Calm focuses on the absence of agitation or noise, often maintained during difficulty ('She stayed calm during the interview'). Peace implies a broader sense of quiet and harmony, both internal ('peace of mind') and external ('world peace'). Ease refers to freedom from difficulty or discomfort ('at ease'), less about emotional depth than comfort. Serenity suggests a deeper, more spiritual calm associated with acceptance and wisdom. For example: 'After a long week, Brian found relaxation in a warm bath.' 'Gita felt great peace sitting by the lake at sunset.' While these words overlap, relaxation is the most physical and everyday term of the five.

calm ↗peace ↗ease ↗serenity ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • for relaxation
  • time for relaxation
  • a form of relaxation
  • a state of relaxation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word relaxation comes from the Latin noun 'relaxatio', meaning 'a loosening' or 'an easing'. The root is 'laxus', meaning 'loose' or 'slack'. Latin 'relaxare' (to loosen) passed through Old French before entering English in the 1300s. The original sense was physical loosening, which later expanded to include mental and emotional easing, and eventually the loosening of rules and restrictions.