Recreation (-shn), n.
Etymology: [F. récréation, L. recreatio.]
The act of recreating, or the state of being recreated; refreshment of the strength and spirits after toil; amusement; diversion; sport; pastime.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for recreation; he lists it under entertainment, rest.
Where he writes about it:
Entertainment and recreation imply thought and mental occupation, tho in an agreeable, refreshing way; they are therefore words of a high order. — from entertainment
Entertainment, apart from its special senses of a public performance or a social party, and predominantly even there, is used of somewhat mirthful mental delight; recreation may, and usually does, combine the mental with the physical. — from entertainment
Certain sports may afford entertainment or recreation to certain persons, according to their individual tastes; but entertainment and recreation are capable of a meaning so high as never to be approached by any meaning of sport. — from entertainment
Recreation is some pleasing activity of certain organs or faculties that affords rest to other parts of our nature that have become weary. — from rest