relaxation
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the feeling of being calm and resting after work or stress.
the state of being free from tension and anxiety; the pursuit of leisure to restore mental or physical well-being.
Simple“I listen to soft music for relaxation after a long day at the office.”
In context“The spa offers a variety of treatments designed specifically for deep relaxation and the reduction of chronic stress levels.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the act of making a rule, law, or control less strict.
the mitigation or abatement of rigor in the application of laws, rules, or standards.
Simple“The government announced a relaxation of the travel restrictions next month.”
In context“Economists argue that a further relaxation of trade barriers is essential for stimulating cross-border investment in the region.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
the process of a muscle or material becoming less tight.
the physiological or mechanical process of returning to a state of low tension after contraction or stress.
Simple“These exercises help with the relaxation of the neck muscles.”
In context“The therapist focused on the relaxation of the diaphragm to improve the patient's breathing patterns during recovery.”
Antonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
the process of an atom or molecule losing energy and returning to a stable state.
the transition of a physical system, such as an atom or nucleus, from an excited state to a lower energy state.
Simple“The scientist measured the relaxation time of the molecules after the laser pulse.”
In context“Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging relies on the different relaxation rates of protons in various types of biological tissue.”
Synonymsdecayde excitationAntonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
the part of a piece of music where the tension or excitement goes away.
the resolution or release of harmonic or rhythmic tension within a musical composition.
Simple“The song builds up a lot of energy before a sudden relaxation in the chorus.”
In context“The composer uses a series of dissonant chords followed by a slow relaxation into a major key to create a sense of peace.”
SynonymsAntonyms
Borrowed from Latin relaxatio, relaxationis; equivalent to relax + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.