recess

noun re·cess \ ˈrē-ˌses , ri-ˈ \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Examples: recess in a Sentence

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 council, which must authorize such expenses beforehand, is in summer recess and won’t reconvene until early September.

— allan vought, The Aegis, "Judge turns down Harford's request to waive bond in $45 million rubblefill judgment appeal," 12 July 2018
My brain was at recess, and anything that helped me escape the monotony was fair game.

— amanda shapiro, Bon Appetit, "How Learning to Love Insomnia Finally Put Me to Sleep," 29 May 2018
And the teacher will have done it at recess during her or his only opportunity that afternoon to go to the bathroom.

— ginger d. rough, USA TODAY, "Parents: Stop complaining about your kids' school supply list," 15 May 2018
In the letter, Newman said the students involved are in the fourth grade and were at recess when the incident occurred.

— erik s. hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "South Milwaukee parents speak out regarding students' threats to kill classmate and divide body at Blakewood Elementary," 13 Apr. 2018
McConnell said at an event with community leaders in the city of Danville during Congress’s Fourth of July week-long recess, according to The Lexington Herald-Leader.

— NBC News, "McConnell: There's not much the federal government can do to respond to school shootings," 3 July 2018
Moderate and conservative Republicans had tried to reach a deal during the Memorial Day recess to present to House Republicans.

— eliza fawcett, latimes.com, "GOP immigration talks stall, and moderates step up the pressure for a House vote," 7 June 2018
The bear was circling the Bryn Mawr School and Swanson Road Intermediate School — which includes third through fifth grades — all morning, prompting school officials to keep children inside during recess, Auburn police said.

— elise takahama, BostonGlobe.com, "Young black bear tranquilized after roaming outside Auburn schools," 31 May 2018
Courtney expects a vote on the bill will come before the August recess.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Veterans' Stand Down Draws Hundreds To QVCC," 19 June 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1531

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

recess Synonyms

recess

verb

Definition of recess

recessed; recessing; recesses

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

That building is 288 Pacific Ave., where residents last month began moving into 33 units contained within an overscaled grid of brickwork and recessed metal.

— john king, SFChronicle.com, "Well-crafted Jackson Square condos rich in design inspiration," 2 July 2018
Design changes allowed relief from a requirement for recessed front entry garages and some material changes at outside corners.

— karen huppertz, ajc, "Sugar Hill approves design for duplex on First Avenue," 20 June 2018
Lots of interesting light fixtures are woven into the homescape: a black chain-link pendant over the dining table; a rectangular chandelier over the kitchen island; contemporary table lamps; and LED recessed lights.

— catherine laughlin, Philly.com, "Rowhouse redesigned to complement Brewerytown Garden mural," 2 May 2018
In the case of Costigan-Wagner, the Southern bloc delayed until its opponents, who were eager to pass other legislation, recessed in April 1935.

— vanessa gregory, New York Times, "A Lynching’s Long Shadow," 25 Apr. 2018
But the judge recessed for five minutes anyway, as Venckiene drank water and dabbed her face with a tissue.

— Washington Post, "US judge refuses to halt extradition of Lithuanian ex-judge," 12 July 2018
Switching out your old light bulbs for new LEDs, especially recessed lighting, kitchen fixtures and lights operated more than two hours per day, is a really easy way to make your home more energy efficient.

— tracy maness, Houston Chronicle, "Reliant Energy offers tips for saving on energy costs," 1 June 2018
The court recessed, and when Reid came before the judge again, the assistant state’s attorney then asked to dismiss the charge.

— genevieve bookwalter, chicagotribune.com, "Traffic charge dismissed, driver's license reinstated for Evanston city clerk," 15 May 2018
Each apartment has new wood floors and recessed lighting and is metered separately for electric and gas.

— New York Times, "Recent Commercial Real Estate Transactions," 1 May 2018

First Known Use of recess

1809

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

recess Synonyms

Synonyms

adjourn, prorogue, suspend;

Near Antonyms

inaugurate, launch, open;

carry on, continue, draw out, extend, proceed, prolong;

renew, reopen, resume;

assemble, call, convene, convoke, muster, rally, summon;

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;

RECESS Defined for English Language Learners

recess

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

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

noun re·cess \ ˈrē-ˌses , ri-ˈ \

medical Definition of recess

: an anatomical depression or cleft : fossa

Law Dictionary

recess

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

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Origin and Etymology of recess

recess Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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recess

Definition of recess

Examples of recess in a Sentence

Recent Examples of recess from the Web

First Known Use of recess

recess Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

RECESS Defined for English Language Learners

recess

Definition of recess for English Language Learners

recess

Definition of recess for English Language Learners

RECESS Defined for Kids

recess

Definition of recess for Students

recess

Definition of recess for Students

Medical Dictionary

recess

medical Definition of recess

Law Dictionary

recess

legal Definition of recess

recess

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