recess

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

Synonyms of recess

• suspend
• adjourn
• postpone
• interrupt

Examples of recess in a Sentence

The trial recessed for the holidays.

The judge decided to recess the trial for the holidays.

Recent Examples on the Web

The trial was recessed Wednesday and is likely to be dismissed as soon as Thursday. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2026

It can be recessed or surface-mounted. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 20 May 2026

The House briefly recessed but returned one hour later to approve the map. —Miami Herald, 16 May 2026

The curved and recessed arms are comfortable and add softness to the design, and the seat and back are padded with thick foam that’s supportive and won’t crush with use. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1809, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for recess

• abbess
• abscess
• access
• address
• assess
• caress
• confess
• depress
• digress
• distress
• egress
• excess

Kids 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

: alcove sense 1

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  ri-ˈ 

: an anatomical depression or cleft : fossa

Legal Definition

recess

noun

re·​cess ˈrē-ˌses, ri-ˈses 

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

recess verb