recession

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​ces·​sion ri-ˈse-shən How to pronounce recession (audio)
plural recessions
1
: the act or action of receding : withdrawal
the recession of floodwaters
The exposed roots of teeth, commonly caused by gum recession, can be protected by using a composite resin in combination with an adhesive resin.American Dental Association
2
economics : a period of significantly reduced general economic activity that is marked especially by declines in employment and production and that lasts more than a few months
The country is in a recession.
a period of economic recession
The spurt of economic growth that usually follows recessions isn't in sight this time.David Wessel
compare depression sense 2a
3
: a departing procession (as of clergy and choir at the end of a church service)
recessionary adjective

recession

2 of 2

noun (2)

re·​ces·​sion (ˌ)rē-ˈse-shən How to pronounce recession (audio)
: the act of ceding back to a former possessor

Examples of recession in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Her Advanced Placement economics course covers such topics as supply and demand, monetary policy, inflation, unemployment, gross domestic product, the peaks and recessions of the business cycle, fiscal policy and the Federal Reserve. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Grantham continued that once the AI bubble starts to deflate, the original market bubble will follow and end with a recession. Bruce Gil, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 Despite those concerns of inflation stalling, more investors are now pricing in a soft landing compared to last year when many expected a recession. Bryan Mena, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Note that Cleveland was interested in a third term, but had the misfortune of presiding over a major banking panic and two severe recessions (known then as depressions). Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, companies are feeling the effects of high interest rates and sharply rising wages at the same time customer demand is waning and recession fears, though easing, are still swirling. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 Biden repeatedly disputed the idea, even as a consensus formed: in December, a Financial Times survey of economists found that eighty-five per cent predicted a recession within a year. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Mortgage rates had been ticking down but are now going in the other direction since the economy is showing strong signs of a soft landing and not a recession. Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 2 Mar. 2024 Unlike previous periods of sizeable drops in emissions aided by economic stagnation or recessions, the 2023 decline comes as the GDP of advanced economies grew by 1.7%. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recession.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

re- + cession

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recession was in 1630

Dictionary Entries Near recession

Cite this Entry

“Recession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recession. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

recession

noun
re·​ces·​sion
ri-ˈsesh-ən
1
: the act or fact of receding or withdrawing
2
: a group of individuals departing in an orderly often ceremonial way
3
: a downward turn in business activity
also : the period of such a downward turn

Medical Definition

recession

noun
re·​ces·​sion ri-ˈsesh-ən How to pronounce recession (audio)
: pathological withdrawal of tissue from its normal position
advanced gum recession

More from Merriam-Webster on recession

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