recess

1 of 2

noun

re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses  ri-ˈses 

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

Noun

• alcove

Verb

• suspend
• adjourn
• postpone
• interrupt

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

Noun

Republicans in the Senate did not take a procedural opportunity Monday to try to push that bill through, meaning any compromise is unlikely to happen until lawmakers return from a two-week recess. —Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 30 Mar. 2026

Congress has now entered a two-week recess without coming to an agreement. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026

Verb

Martine Moïse, who was wounded during the attack, testified for about an hour before court recessed for the day. —David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2026

Another feature that enhanced observation was recessed objective lenses and super-spectra coating, which helped to reduce flare and ghosting. —Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for recess

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids Definition

recess

1 of 2 noun

re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses 

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  ri-ˈ 

: an anatomical depression or cleft : fossa

Legal Definition

recess

noun

re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses, ri-ˈses 

: a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session

recess verb