recipe

noun

rec·​i·​pe ˈre-sə-(ˌ)pē 

1

: prescription sense 4a

2

: a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients

3

: a formula or procedure for doing or attaining something

a recipe for success

Synonyms of recipe

• method
• approach
• strategy
• methodology
• technique
• way

Examples of recipe in a Sentence

The recipe calls for fresh thyme.

I didn't read the recipe carefully.

This is one of my grandmother's recipes.

Recent Examples on the Web

This week's quiz highlights revolutionary recipes, celebrity challenges — and a whole lot more. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026

Bring it to a summer barbecue and be prepared to field a lot of requests for your recipe; put your own spin on it and share it freely, just like my mom (and Fannie Flagg herself) does. —Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 14 June 2026

Combining sustainability with another niche – powerboat motorsport – could have been a recipe for disaster. —James Morris, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026

For the bath itself, Matic offered a specific recipe. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, take, imperative of recipere to take, receive — more at receive

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing recipe

• recipe book
• recipe for disaster

Rhymes for recipe

• praecipe

Kids Definition

recipe

noun

rec·​i·​pe ˈres-ə-(ˌ)pē 

1

: prescription sense 2a

2

: a set of instructions for making something (as a food dish) from various things

a recipe for beef stew

3

: method of proceeding

a recipe for success

Medical Definition

recipe

noun

rec·​i·​pe ˈres-ə-(ˌ)pē 

: prescription sense 1