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

The gang pulls up to a desolate area, finding Albert's most recent car there. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026

Still, in recent years lingering questions about the paper’s long-term future and stability have emerged, according to eight current and former staff shared with Semafor, driven in part by investors who —through a complex trust — have little control. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 23 Feb. 2026

Russian missiles and drones in recent months have pounded Ukraine’s energy grid, plunging people into frozen darkness in one of the country’s coldest winters on record. —Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026

In its most recent update, the Mexican Security Cabinet said four road blockades in Jalisco remain uncleared. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 23 Feb. 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