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
Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
On Thursday, the justices released their final orders list before their summer recess granting review of new cases to be heard in the fall.
—David G. Savage
follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Cate Martel, The Hill, 19 May 2025
Jones took the stand late in the day, and Henderson had only scratched the surface of the evidence before the judge recessed the trial for the day.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
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Noun
This bundle includes a Smart Color bulb that connects to the Show and can be screwed into any lamp or recess lighting port.
—Christopher Murray
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
On Thursday, the justices released their final orders list before their summer recess granting review of new cases to be heard in the fall.
—David G. Savage
follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
Verb
Punchbowl News says Republican leadership won’t recess for Memorial Day weekend until the House passes it.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 19 May 2025
Jones took the stand late in the day, and Henderson had only scratched the surface of the evidence before the judge recessed the trial for the day.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 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 14 Jul. 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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