recurrence

noun

re·​cur·​rence ri-ˈkər-ən(t)s 

-ˈkə-rən(t)s

plural recurrences

: a new occurrence of something that happened or appeared before : a repeated occurrence

Scientists are working to lower the disease's rate of recurrence.

Long-term drug therapy is associated with frequent recurrences and adverse effects, however.

—Melvin M. Scheinman

The hypoallergenic diet is restored until the itching and scratching again disappear, following which potential allergens from the original diet are restored sequentially, one by one, into the dog's meals and the owner looks for indications of the allergy's recurrence.

—Tom Ewing

As a familiar shape its exact meaning may have been lost to some of the craftsmen who used it; however, its recurrence on a whole group of gravestones in Davidson County, North Carolina, suggests an association there with hope, rebirth, and the cycle of life and death.

—Jessie Poesch

The shortage is a result of a decline in Treasury issuance as well as banks' strengthening their balance sheets in preparation for rules designed to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 financial crisis.

—Peter Coy and Liz Capo McCormick

Examples of recurrence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Editors’ Picks How to Minimize Your Exposure to Microplastics Walker scored just 10 points in Game 6, though, and he was hospitalized after the Bulls lost Game 7 in Oakland, Calif., with the recurrence of a kidney infection that would later cause scarring and require ongoing medication. —Harvey Araton, New York Times, 9 June 2024

After a show was briefly sidelined in 2007 following a recurrence of cardiomyopathy, the legendary performer had to lean on the support of his wife. —Vandana Pawa, Peoplemag, 8 June 2024

Overall, 75% of the patients taking the two therapies survived with no recurrences at 2.5 years, compared to 56% of those on pembrolizumab. —Alice Park, TIME, 3 June 2024

Clemency, Shamir suggested, would prevent a recurrence of Jewish terrorism. —Mark Mazzetti Jonathan Davis Anna Diamond David Mason, New York Times, 16 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

recurrence

noun

re·​cur·​rence ri-ˈkər-ən(t)s, -ˈkə-rən(t)s 

1

: return of symptoms of a disease after a remission

2

: reappearance of a tumor after previous removal