When a part of your body relaxes, or when you relax it, it becomes less stiff or firm. Massage is used to relax muscles, relieve stress and improve the circulation His face relaxes into a contented smile
If you relax a rule or your control over something, or if it relaxes, it becomes less firm or strong. Rules governing student conduct relaxed somewhat in recent years How much can the President relax his grip over the nation? tighten see also relaxed, relaxing
make less active or fast; "He slackened his pace as he got tired"; "Don't relax your efforts now"
cause to feel relaxed; "A hot bath always relaxes me" become less tense, rest, or take one's ease; "He relaxed in the hot tub"; "Let's all relax after a hard day's work" make less tight; "relax the tension on the rope" become less severe or strict; "The rules relaxed after the new director arrived" make less severe or strict; "The government relaxed the curfew after most of the rebels were caught" become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner; "our new colleague relaxed when he saw that we were a friendly group
If you relax your grip or hold on something, you hold it less tightly than before. He gradually relaxed his grip on the arms of the chair. tighten
{f} be at leisure; loosen, slacken; calm, release tension; ease one's mind through rest or recreation
To make less severe or rigorous; to abate the stringency of; to remit in respect to strenuousness, earnestness, or effort; as, to relax discipline; to relax one's attention or endeavors