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

Noun (1)

• depression
• 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

For months, economists and analysts have looked at the numbers and tried to predict if a recession is coming. —Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025

Economists at JPMorgan Chase, who had forecast last month that the China tariffs made a recession likely, don’t expect one now. —Anne D'innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

That compares with a roughly 1% advance for the S & P 500 , which has had a turbulent year as investors feared that President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies could tip the U.S. economy into a recession. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 19 May 2025

The Trump administration is facing pressure to reach a deal with China and other countries as the president's poll numbers on the economy fall and economists say tariffs will drive up inflation and could send the economy into a recession. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025

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

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