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

Recent : 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

What Alkassar, who lives on South Beach, does hope to do is lure not only Miami Beach residents and tourists but locals who have in recent times proved reluctant to cross the bridges from the mainland. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026

As the market of products commonly available at gas stations and smoke shops keeps changing rapidly, and state lawmakers have struggled to pass regulations in recent years, individual cities have been stepping in. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026

In recent years, federal efforts to control peptides have placed Koniver at odds with public-health agencies. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

Recent data from the Department of Education indicated that 10 of the 221 students in TREP have earned a credential through the program. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026

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