recidivism

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm 

: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior

especially : relapse into criminal behavior

Did you know?

The re- in recidivism is the same re- in relapse and return, and like those words recidivism is about going back: it’s a tendency to relapse, especially into criminal behavior. Recidivism is a 19th century French borrowing that’s ultimately from a Latin word meaning “to relapse into sin or crime.” In borrowing recidivism, English was itself engaging in a kind of recidivism: the same Latin source of recidivism had been nabbed in the 16th century to form the much less common recidivate, meaning “to fall into or exhibit recidivism.”

Examples of recidivism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Entrepreneurship lowers recidivism and boosts income—but returning citizens still face systemic barriers to credit, licensing, and capital In the United States, the road to entrepreneurship is often paved with resilience—and blocked by bias. —Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Numerous studies say that recidivism is lower for individuals in rehabilitative programs, including those on restorative justice. —Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr. 2025

Bipartisan reform in criminal sentencing and prison recidivism. —Dick Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Apr. 2025

Research shows that voting is related to a reduction in recidivism and strengthens communities. —Gwen Levi, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French récidivisme, from récidiver "to reappear (of a disease, tumor, etc.), do over, commit a second criminal offense" (going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin recidīvāre "to relapse into sin or crime") + -isme -ism — more at recidivate

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recidivism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism

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Medical Definition

recidivism

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsid-ə-ˌviz-əm 

: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior

high recidivism rates after cessation of smoking

—A. E. Kazdin et al.

Legal Definition

recidivism

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm 

: relapse into criminal behavior