relaxation

plural relaxations

1. countableuncountableThe act of relaxing or the state of being relaxed; the opposite of stress or tension; the aim of recreation and leisure activities.
2. countableuncountableA 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. countableuncountableRemission or abatement of rigor.
4. countableuncountableRemission of attention or application.

   relaxation of efforts

   1 more example

   It may seem as though the safer sex message gets overplayed, stressed too much; it may have even become tired. Nonetheless, it has become evident that to abandon that message now would create complacency among people at risk for HIV infection. The end result would be a relaxation of life-saving techniques. We would be faced with a new generation of individuals testing antibody positive.

   1989 December 3, Michael De Mayo, “A New Word In AIDS Prevention: Relapse”, in Gay Community News, volume 17, number 21, page 16

5. countableuncountableUnbending; recreation; a state or occupation intended to give mental or bodily relief after effort.
6. countableuncountablenatural sciencesThe transition of a nucleus, atom or molecule from a higher energy level to a lower one; the opposite of excitation
7. countableuncountableentertainmentThe release following musical tension.