relaxation

Borrowed from Latin relaxatio, relaxationis; equivalent to relax +‎ -ation.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌɹilækˈseɪʃən/, /ˌɹɪlækˈseɪʃən/

relaxation (countable and uncountable, plural relaxations)

1. The act of relaxing or the state of being relaxed; the opposite of stress or tension; the aim of recreation and leisure activities.
2. A diminution of tone, tension, or firmness; specifically in pathology: a looseness; a diminution of the natural and healthy tone of parts.

   relaxation of the soft palate

3. Remission or abatement of rigor.
4. Remission of attention or application.

   relaxation of efforts

5. Unbending; recreation; a state or occupation intended to give mental or bodily relief after effort.
6. (physics) The transition of an atom or molecule from a higher energy level to a lower one.
7. (music) The release following musical tension.

• dielectric relaxation
• letter of relaxation

• relax
• relaxable
• relaxant
• relaxate
• relaxative

• relaxation in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.