recess

play

noun re·cess \ ˈrē-ˌses , ri-ˈ \

Definition of recess

1 :the action of receding :recession

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

See recess defined for English-language learners

See recess defined for kids

Examples of recess in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of recess from the Web

The same happens when a student is injured in a fall during recess, only the school nurse provides the examination.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "Big spike in District 203 concussion numbers tied to parental reporting," 26 Aug. 2017
Lawmakers back home for the August recess have been feeling the heat from angry constituents and activists.

— billy house, Bloomberg.com, "Lawmakers Seek Legal Advice on Handling Protesters," 15 Aug. 2017
Senate Republicans dropped a massive immigration bill just before leaving for summer recess.

— chicagotribune.com, "Immigration bill would ramp up mass surveillance at the border," 11 Aug. 2017
In school, Christian’s favorite classes are math, reading and, of course, recess.

— kansascity, "Christian, 9, is working hard to be the best he can be," 5 Aug. 2017
From The Hill: The Senate blocked President Trump from being able to make recess appointments on Thursday as lawmakers leave Washington for their August break…

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Even the Senate Is Fed Up with President* Trump," 4 Aug. 2017
Council is on recess every July and August -- except for three days.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: Where in the world is Wendell Young?," 2 Aug. 2017
With Congress on the verge of entering its August recess, Alabama Rep. Bradley Byrne is once again indulging his penchant for town meetings. The congressman's office has announced two Baldwin County town halls for next week.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Rep. Byrne sets town hall meetings July 31, Aug. 3," 28 July 2017
The Senate was originally scheduled to go on its traditional August recess on July 29, but McConnell delayed it by two weeks.

— laura litvan, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Urges Senate GOP to Delay Recess as Health Talks Revived," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recess.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of recess

Latin recessus, from recedere to recede

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First Known Use: 1531

See Words from the same year

recess Synonyms

Synonyms

alcove, nook, niche

Antonyms

bulge, camber, convexity, jut, projection, protrusion, protuberance

Related Words

corner, cranny, cubbyhole; cubicle; dent, embrasure, indent, indentation, indenture; ambry, housing, shrine

Near Antonyms

continuation, endurance, persistence, progress, progression; extension, prolongation

recess

verb

Definition of recess

transitive verb

1 :to put into a recess

recessed lighting

2 :to make a recess in

3 :to interrupt for a recess

intransitive verb

:to take a recess

See recess defined for English-language learners

Examples of recess in a Sentence

The trial recessed for the holidays.
The judge decided to recess the trial for the holidays.

Recent Examples of recess from the Web

The centerpiece is a round swimming pool, lined in shades of blue and recessed into the deck, creating the illusion that it was built into the grounds.

— tyrone beason, The Seattle Times, "Backyards can serve as close-to-home getaways, or shelter for neighbors," 2 Aug. 2017
Here’s an after-action report, as Congress prepares to recess:

— the editors, The Atlantic, "The Big Question: Reader Poll," 28 July 2017
Along with the details of the tax plan, Freedom Caucus members said the House shouldn’t recess next month until members vote on a plan raise the debt ceiling so the U.S. government can borrow enough to pay its creditors.

— anna edgerton, Bloomberg.com, "House Conservatives Hold Budget Hostage Over Tax Plan Details," 12 July 2017
After hours of cross-examination by defense lawyers, the judge recessed the hearing late in the day with plans to resume it, likely next month.

— susan snyder, Philly.com, "Lawyers clash at hearing into Penn State frat hazing death," 11 July 2017
President Trump took to Twitter to press lawmakers to pass healthcare legislation before Congress recesses for the monthlong August break.

— lisa mascaro and, latimes.com, "Trump presses Congress to pass healthcare bill before August recess," 10 July 2017
On Wednesday, the Republican leader of the New York State Senate, John Flanagan of Long Island, announced that lawmakers would recess this year without voting on the Child Victims Act, a bill that would extend the statute.

— sharon otterman, New York Times, "Brooklyn Diocese Seeks to Compensate Sex Abuse Victims," 22 June 2017
The judge had recessed in order to read up on the case and the federal statutes, which Assistant US Attorney Michael Friedman had initially argued should be used to keep Moles behind bars.

— javier de diego, CNN, "Judge releases Trump hotel guns suspect until hearing Friday," 1 June 2017
Now, there's recessed lighting in some rooms and beautiful hanging light fixtures decorate others.

— roxanne washington, cleveland.com, "Cool Spaces: Hudson home tour includes a renovation that combines historic and contemporary (photos, video)," 1 June 2017

First Known Use of recess

1809

recess Synonyms

Synonyms

prorogate, prorogue, adjourn, suspend

Related Words

break off, disband, discontinue, disperse, intermit, interrupt; defer, hold off, postpone, put off, reserve, shelve, table; dissolve, end, halt, stop, terminate; break up, close, conclude, wind up, wrap up; abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke; abrogate, annul, invalidate, negate, nullify, quash, void

Near Antonyms

inaugurate, launch, open; carry on, continue, draw out, extend, proceed, prolong; renew, reopen, resume; assemble, call, convene, convoke, muster, rally, summon

RECESS Defined for English Language Learners

recess

play

noun

Definition of recess for English Language Learners

: a short period of time during the school day when children can play
: a usually brief period of time during which regular activity in a court of law or in a government stops
: a dark, hidden place or part

recess

verb

Definition of recess for English Language Learners

: to stop regular activity in a court of law or in a government for a usually short period of time

RECESS Defined for Kids

recess

play

noun re·cess \ ˈrē-ˌses , ri-ˈses \

Definition of recess for Students

1 :a brief period for relaxation between work periods

The students play ball at recess.

2 :a secret or hidden place

The droplets of water came from somewhere high up in the dark recesses of the roof …
—Brian Jacques, Redwall

3 :a hollow cut or built into a surface (as a wall)

The room has a recess lined with books.

4 :a brief time off from the activity of a court

recess

verb

Definition of recess for Students

recessed; recessing

1 :to put into a hollow space

The light fixture was recessed into the ceiling.

2 :to interrupt for or take a brief time off

Medical Dictionary

recess

play

noun re·cess \ ˈrē-ˌses , ri-ˈ \

medical Definition of recess

:an anatomical depression or cleft :fossa

Law Dictionary

recess

play

noun re·cess \ ˈrē-ˌses, ri-ˈses \

legal Definition of recess

:a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session

—

recess

verb

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recess

Definition of recess for English Language Learners

recess

Definition of recess for English Language Learners

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recess

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recess

Definition of recess for Students

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recess

medical Definition of recess

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recess

legal Definition of recess

recess

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