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

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
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Noun
The dismal showing left payroll additions averaging a measly 35,000 from May through July and led some economists to worry the nation could be hurtling toward a recession. Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Zandi cautioned that if the slowdown tips into outright recession, job losses will broaden out from goods-producing sectors into professional services, retail, and parts of health care as well. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025 In addition to the Fed and the private sector, the BLS notes its survey data is used by the National Bureau of Economic Research to determine whether or not the economy is in a recession. David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025 He was hired by Italy’s Agnelli family to run Fiat in 2004 when, due to previous mismanagement plus the recession, few in the auto industry believed it could be saved. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recession

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recession. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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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