recidivism
noun
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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
Rebecca Wright, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
The Department of Corrections last year reported Kentucky's recidivism rate was 27.5%, defined as a new felony committed within two years of release or a return to prison on a technical violation.
—Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 17 Oct. 2024
San Quentin’s media center, for example, has a recidivism rate of zero; none of its participants have gone back to prison after release.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024
The organization tries to foster a love of reading behind bars, encourage the pursuit of knowledge and self-empowerment, and help break the cycle of recidivism.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recidivism 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recidivism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near recidivism
Cite this Entry
“Recidivism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recidivism. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
recidivism
noun
A. E. Kazdin et al.Legal Definition
recidivism
noun
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