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
recessed; recessing; recesses
1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for a recess
: to take a recess
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
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
After the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July, Republicans traveled around the country during their six-week recess to sell voters on the legislation, which Democrats have criticized heavily over its stricter Medicaid requirements.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2025
The first story has recessed walls with a walkway.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
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Noun
The 577-seat National Assembly cut short its summer recess to stage an extraordinary session marked by high political drama.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
After the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July, Republicans traveled around the country during their six-week recess to sell voters on the legislation, which Democrats have criticized heavily over its stricter Medicaid requirements.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The court recessed to address the issue, during which time DeBie produced the video, Eppink said.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2025
The first story has recessed walls with a walkway.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recess. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
3
: a brief period for relaxation between periods of work
recess
2 of 2 verb1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for or take a recess
Legal Definition
recess
noun
re·cess
ˈrē-ˌses, ri-ˈses
: a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session
recess
verb
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