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

In recent years, four major space flight corporations have largely focused on NASA contracts for reusable rockets, cargo drops to the International Space Station ,and capitalizing on how to one day make money in low Earth orbit and on the moon. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026

The recent pause for 180 days is promising. —Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026

Know More Investors in recent days have fretted about the Paramount bid’s footing. —Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026

Given the recent spate of attacks on Jewish institutions in America and around the globe, how infuriating that Congress refuses to settle its funding dispute over the Department of Homeland Security. —Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 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