recess

noun

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re·cess | \ ˈrē-ˌses

, ri-ˈ \

Definition of recess

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the action of receding : recession

2 : a hidden, secret, or secluded place or part

3a : 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

verb

recessed; recessing; recesses

Definition of recess (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about recess

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Synonyms for recess

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

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: Noun The 12-year-old recalled seeing these disparities even before COVID-19 struck New York City when her classmates would complete homework on school computers during recess due to a lack of internet service or devices at home. — Audrey Conklin, Fox News, "NYC 12-year-old donates 200 laptops to students through GoFundMe," 25 Mar. 2021 Research shows that students, especially those who lag behind in academic achievement, lose ground during the summer recess. — Stanley S. Litow, The Conversation, "Meisha Porter is the first Black woman chancellor of NYC schools – here are the challenges she will face," 24 Mar. 2021 During the summer recess, bills passed in the spring will be allowed to go into effect. — Arkansas Democrat-gazette, Arkansas Online, "STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS: Extended session favored by House | Abortion legislation heads to governor | House backs bill on hit-and-run penalty," 23 Mar. 2021 During the recess, the lawmakers are expected to travel home to all parts of the state, potentially spreading the variant of the virus. — NBC News, "Idaho Legislature shuts down due to Covid-19 outbreak," 20 Mar. 2021 During the recess, the lawmakers are expected to travel home to all parts of the state, potentially spreading the variant of the virus. — Keith Ridler, Star Tribune, "Idaho Legislature shuts down due to COVID-19 outbreak," 19 Mar. 2021 During the recess, the lawmakers are expected to travel home to all parts of the state, potentially spreading the variant of the virus. — Keith Ridler, Anchorage Daily News, "Idaho Legislature shuts down for weeks due to COVID-19 outbreak," 19 Mar. 2021 Other colleges are either shortening the break or advising students to stay put — one is even offering students $75 gift cards to remain on campus during the recess. — Chicago Tribune Staff, chicagotribune.com, "Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Here’s what’s happening Monday with COVID-19 in the Chicago area," 15 Mar. 2021 The House, with the illness spreading, requested the Senate recess as well. — Keith Ridler, Star Tribune, "Idaho Legislature shuts down due to COVID-19 outbreak," 19 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Lawmakers in the House and Senate made the move to recess until April 6 with significant unfinished business, including setting budgets and pushing through a huge income tax cut. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "‘Let us cheer!’, cruises return, adolescent trials: News from around our 50 states," 22 Mar. 2021 If a final juror is picked Tuesday, the court is expected to recess until Monday, when opening statements are scheduled to begin. — Washington Post, "Derek Chauvin trial: Jury could be seated Tuesday, as court seeks one more alternate," 22 Mar. 2021 Lawmakers in the House and Senate made the move to recess until April 6 with significant unfinished business, including setting budgets and pushing through a huge income tax cut. — NBC News, "Idaho Legislature shuts down due to Covid-19 outbreak," 20 Mar. 2021 Lawmakers in the House and Senate made the move to recess until April 6 with significant unfinished business, including setting budgets and pushing through a huge income tax cut. — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, "How March Madness is being pulled off during a pandemic; new CDC guidelines for students: Live COVID-19 updates," 20 Mar. 2021 Lawmakers in the House and Senate made the move to recess until April 6 with significant unfinished business, including setting budgets and pushing through a huge income tax cut. — Keith Ridler, Star Tribune, "Idaho Legislature shuts down due to COVID-19 outbreak," 19 Mar. 2021 Now: The House is scheduled to recess but would have to meet. — USA Today, "Impeachment: How Democrats might fast-track removing Trump from office," 12 Jan. 2021 Cheney ordered both chambers to recess for two hours of debate in the form of a series of dueling speeches, each no longer than five minutes. — Sabrina Eaton, cleveland, "Ohio’s Stephanie Tubbs Jones lodged the nation’s last electoral vote protest in Congress," 20 Dec. 2020 Boyer took space from a mudroom closet to recess the refrigerator. — Kerri Westenberg, Star Tribune, "'70s house in Edina gets open floor plan for casual living," 6 Nov. 2020

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.