recession

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​ces·​sion ri-ˈse-shən 

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

ri-ˈse-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

recession

2 of 2

noun (2)

re·​ces·​sion (ˌ)rē-ˈse-shən 

: the act of ceding back to a former possessor

Synonyms of recession

Noun (1)

• slump

Examples of recession in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the country is just coming out of a recession, so expect to see fewer layoffs and more new jobs in the coming year

a retiring CEO making a gradual recession from the daily rigors of running a major corporation

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kendall County Administrator Christina Burns said the county has returned to growth levels comparable to before the recession of 2008, when Kendall was the fastest-growing county in the country. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

His successor may face a tougher challenge, as Wall Street forecasters raise their expectations of recession, brought on in part by the Iran war and potential for higher prices. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026

Oil prices are soaring, and the conflict has raised the risk of a worldwide recession. —Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026

The transition from agricultural employment to factory employment involved wrenching mass migration, the utter misery of the Great Depression (as well as other brutal recessions, now faded from collective memory), and the painful dealmaking of the New Deal. —Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

re- + cession

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1832, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing recession

• anti-recession
• pre-recession

Rhymes for recession

• accession
• aggression
• compression
• concession
• confession
• depression
• digression
• discretion
• expression
• impression
• obsession
• oppression

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 

: pathological withdrawal of tissue from its normal position

advanced gum recession