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 recent Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian warplanes marked a striking advance in the arms race: a combination of human subterfuge and precise tech work. —Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025

Over recent years, the Department of State have been submitting the annual report to Congress consistent with section 5 of the Elie Wiesel Act. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

But the Republican leader has become increasingly exasperated with Putin in recent days and has laid into the Russian leader for prolonging the war. —arkansasonline.com, 14 July 2025

The report follows an investigative series in recent years by NPR, in collaboration with The Marshall Project, which exposed abuse in federal prisons, including the overuse of restraints and shackles so tight that prisoners report scarring and permanent injury. —Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 14 July 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