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

The country at large ignored his warnings, and the recession following the dot-com bubble burst ended what was then the longest stretch of economic growth and expansion the United States had ever seen. — Dan Simms, USA Today, 26 June 2026

In a trust recession, with customers looking for proof in many places, retailers can learn from Passenger’s playbook and focus on genuine human interactions on social media. — Catherine Erdly, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

There’s a buildup of unsold goods while new orders are falling—one possible sign of an economic slowdown that could lead to a recession. — Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 June 2026

The war in Iran raised recession risk, and the federal government is systematically dismantling the funding streams California has depended on for decades. — Mike Gatto, Mercury News, 23 June 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