recess

1 of 2

noun

re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio) ri-ˈses How to pronounce recess (audio)
Synonyms of recess
1
: the action of receding : recession entry 1
2
: a hidden, secret, or secluded place or part
3
a
: indentation, cleft
a deep recess in the hill
b
: alcove
a recess lined with books
4
: a suspension of business or procedure often for rest or relaxation
children playing at recess

recess

2 of 2

verb

recessed; recessing; recesses

transitive verb

1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for a recess

intransitive verb

: to take a recess

Synonyms of recess

Relevance

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of recess in a Sentence

Noun The students play outside after lunch and at recess. Do you have morning recess? The Senate debates will continue after the August recess. The Senate wanted to vote on the bill before recess. Verb The trial recessed for the holidays. The judge decided to recess the trial for the holidays.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The House is currently on recess, so the censure itself would not take place until at least September. — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 The bill has cleared the Senate Commerce Committee and could reach the Senate floor before the summer recess. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Senate is expected to recess until mid-September in the coming days. — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Supreme Court recently handed notable losses to Trump The latest survey was taken July 1-19, just days after the justices dropped some of their biggest decisions before recessing for the summer. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for recess

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin recessus, from recedere to recede

First Known Use

Noun

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1809, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of recess was in 1531

Rhymes for recess

See All Rhymes for recess

Browse Nearby Words

recertify
recess
recess bed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recess. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

recess

1 of 2 noun
re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio)
ri-ˈses
1
: a hidden or secret place
2
a
: a space or little hollow set back (as from the main line of a coast or mountain range)
b
: alcove sense 1
3
: a brief period for relaxation between periods of work

recess

2 of 2 verb
1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for or take a recess

Medical Definition

recess

noun
re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio) ri-ˈ How to pronounce recess (audio)
: an anatomical depression or cleft : fossa

Legal Definition

recess

noun
re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses, ri-ˈses How to pronounce recess (audio)
: a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session
recess verb

More from Merriam-Webster on recess

Nglish: Translation of recess for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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