1. Freedom from activity (work, strain or responsibility)
   "She found relaxation in gardening";
   - rest, ease, repose
    
2. A feeling of refreshing tranquility and an absence of tension or worry
   "the relaxation we feel when sleeping";
   - easiness
    
3. An occurrence of control or strength weakening
   "the relaxation of requirements";
   - loosening, slackening, softening
    
4. The act of making less strict
   "The relaxation of trade policies encouraged international commerce";
   - liberalization, liberalisation [Brit]
    
5. (physiology) the gradual lengthening of inactive muscle or muscle fibers
   "Proper relaxation of muscles is essential for reducing tension and preventing injury"
    
6. (physics) the exponential return of a system to equilibrium after a disturbance
   "The researchers studied the relaxation behaviour of polymer chains under stress";
   - relaxation behavior
    
7. A method of solving simultaneous equations by guessing a solution and then reducing the errors that result by successive approximations until all the errors are less than some specified amount
   "The relaxation method was used to solve the complex system of equations";
   - relaxation method

Derived forms: relaxations

Type of: alleviation, easement, easing, exponential decay, growth, inactivity, increase, increment, mathematical operation, mathematical process, operation, peace, quietness, quietude, relief, tranquility [N. Amer], tranquillity, weakening

Encyclopedia: Relaxation