/ ˌriːlækˈseɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] ways of resting and enjoying yourself; time spent resting and enjoying yourself :
I go hill-walking for relaxation.
a few days of relaxation
relaxation techniques
➡ note at entertainment
2.
[ C ] something pleasant you do in order to rest, especially after you have been working :
Fishing is his favourite relaxation.
3.
[ U , C , usually sing. ] the act of making a rule or some form of control less strict or severe :
the relaxation of foreign currency controls
a relaxation of travel restrictions
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting partial remission of a penalty): from Latin relaxatio(n-) , from the verb relaxare , from re- (expressing intensive force) + laxus lax, loose.