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re·ces·sion·al | \ ri-ˈsesh-nəl 
, -ˈse-shə-nᵊl \
, -ˈse-shə-nᵊl \Definition of recessional
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of or relating to a withdrawal
recessional
nounDefinition of recessional (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : a hymn or musical piece at the conclusion of a service or program
Examples of recessional in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Such conditions inevitably produce a recognition of the limits of gradualism among conservatives fed up with years of rearguard compromise who desire a proactive rather than an essentially defensive and recessional policy program.
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A. Wess Mitchell, National Review, "Conservatives and Geopolitical Change," 2 Apr. 2020 These are used to measure the distances to hundreds of farther-away supernovas, whose recessional speed divided by their distance gives the Hubble constant.
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Quanta Magazine, "New Wrinkle Added to Cosmology’s Hubble Crisis," 26 Feb. 2020 Her brothers, Sandy and James McIntryre, escorted her; Sandy, who would later lead a recessional while playing bagpipes, wore a kilt.
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New York Times, "A Leap Into Their First Marriage," 13 Mar. 2020 Reagan’s journey proceeds in five movements: Midwestern youth; Hollywood; an introduction to politics (as union head, corporate spokesman and governor of California); the presidency; the recessional.
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Richard Brookhiser, WSJ, "‘Reagan: An American Journey’ Review: The Arc of an All-American," 27 Sep. 2018 A family member, Andrew Fund, played cello for recessional music.
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John-john Williams Iv, baltimoresun.com, "Wedded: For Sophia Ju and Seth Ferderer, romance took time to grow," 24 June 2017 After the recessional to the south side of the cathedral, all are welcome to enjoy entertainment by the Saint Andrew’s Society Pipes and Drums and Highland dancers.
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Gerri Marmer, Washington Post, "Religion events from around the Washington area," 27 Apr. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In about 10 seconds, the same newlyweds will teleport back to square one and start the recessional all over again.
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Laurence Scott, Wired, "GIFs Are Glorious, GIFs Are Perverse," 2 Mar. 2020 Wolf said he is committed to student expression and cited Glendale High recently adding a recessional to its ceremony that allows the senior class to select one or two songs that represent the graduating group.
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Andrew J. Campa, Glendale News-Press, "Glendale Unified’s cap and gown unofficial gender policy may become policy," 23 July 2019 Their recessional was the throne-room theme from A New Hope.
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Rob Ledonne, Billboard, "With John Williams Stepping Aside, 'Solo' Looks to Create a 'Modern' Musical Score for 'Star Wars'," 25 May 2018 With regard to the American 21st century, Gaddis’s favorite novelists and philosophers perhaps argue against both optional intercessions abroad and moralistic lead-from-behind recessionals.
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Victor Davis Hanson, New York Times, "When to Wage War, and How to Win: A Guide," 20 Apr. 2018 Those were just suggestions for the processional, unity ceremony and recessional.
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Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "This startup takes the guesswork out of picking music — and musicians — for your wedding," 7 Mar. 2018
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recessional.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for recessional
The first known use of recessional was in 1867
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