recent

adjective

re·​cent ˈrē-sᵊnt 

1

a

: having lately come into existence : new, fresh

b

: of or relating to a time not long past

2

capitalized : holocene

recentness noun

Examples of recent in a Sentence

Recent events have brought attention to the problem.

I usually watch that show every week, but I missed the most recent episode.

Medical science has made amazing progress in recent decades.

That was the biggest earthquake in recent history.

Recent Examples on the Web

The View has come under fire from both audiences and political figures in recent weeks, particularly after current Republican cohost Ana Navarro criticized people for making a tourist spectacle out of the Alligator Alcatraz detainment centers in Florida. —EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025

The most recent of SpaceX's private human spaceflights, a mission known as Fram2, took place in April. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025

In recent years, Netflix has opted to release its most popular shows in multiple parts. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Pocan has in recent weeks crossed congressional lines into Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District to hold town hall events and last week, organized an event in Van Orden's hometown of Prairie du Chien. —Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin recent-, recens; perhaps akin to Greek kainos new

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing recent

• of recent origin

Rhymes for recent

• decent
• puissant
• indecent

Kids Definition

recent

adjective

re·​cent ˈrēs-ᵊnt 

1

a

: of or relating to a time not long past

recent history

b

: having lately appeared or come into existence : new, fresh

recent events

2

capitalized : holocene

recently adverb

recentness noun