recess

1 of 2

noun

re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio)
ri-ˈ
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

recess

2 of 2

verb

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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Cornyn has spent time with Trump twice this month and continued his long track record of hard-dollar fundraising for GOP candidates, including visiting Michigan, Indiana and Nevada over the recess. Stef W. Kight, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 But the world itself isn’t getting better; the pair are mostly evading its reach, fighting off the nameless queen of darkness who is spreading the plague as their journey gets darker and deeper into the recesses of their mind in search of hope. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2024
Verb
The eyepieces have large (21 mm) eye lenses and they're deeply recessed in the eye cups, which allows for nearly a full field of view even when wearing glasses. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024 The House has recessed until after the November election, sparking ire from Republicans as the lower chamber has left behind a long to-do list involving spending bills, contempt resolutions, task forces, and censure initiatives. Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recess 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin recessus, from recedere to recede

First Known Use

Noun

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1809, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recess was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near recess

Cite this Entry

“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recess. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

recess

1 of 2 noun
re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio)
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)
3
: a brief period for relaxation between periods of work

recess

2 of 2 verb
1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for or take a recess

Medical Definition

recess

noun
re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses How to pronounce recess (audio) ri-ˈ How to pronounce recess (audio)
: an anatomical depression or cleft : fossa

Legal Definition

recess

noun
: a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session
recess verb

More from Merriam-Webster on recess

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