recollection

noun

rec·ol·lec·tion | \ ˌre-kə-ˈlek-shən

Definition of recollection

1a : tranquility of mind

b : religious contemplation

2a : the action or power of recalling to mind

b : something recalled to the mind

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about recollection

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Choose the Right Synonym for recollection

memory, remembrance, recollection, reminiscence mean the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered. memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered. gifted with a remarkable memory that incident was now just a distant memory remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered. any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort. after a moment's recollection he produced the name reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past. my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

Examples of recollection in a Sentence

Her recollection of the accident is very different from mine. She has only a vague recollection of her seventh birthday party. His novel is largely based on his own recollections of his childhood in the inner city.

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the women named numerous times throughout the calendar joins us next with her recollections. — Fox News, "Laura Ingraham: The accusers' last act," 26 Sep. 2018 Yet people have found an opportunity to belittle, as opposed to understanding how painful those kinds of recollections are. — Olivia Fleming, Harper's BAZAAR, "Ana Maria Archila and Maria Gallagher Open Up About Confronting Jeff Flake in the Elevator," 29 Oct. 2018 Gill Byrd steps off the plane at Lindbergh Field with a strong feeling of recollection. — Drake Hills, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Former Charger Gill Byrd seeking inroads as recruiter," 12 June 2018 Flanagan cannot quite make Ziggy’s magnetism or sinister influence plausible, but the novel, with its switchbacking recollections and cyclical dialogue, its penetrating scenes of birth and, eventually, death, is enigmatic and mesmerizing. — Joan Acocella, The New Yorker, "Briefly Noted," 19 May 2018 As a practical matter, too much time has passed in terms of the reliability of witness recollections. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Analyzing the Legal Fallout of Matt Patricia’s Sexual Assault Indictment," 10 May 2018 White's recollections are the first reported from an independent eyewitness who offers support for the woman's account. — Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "Mark Cuban drunk, 'gropey,' in 2011 incident that led to sex abuse inquiry, Portland bar employee says," 7 Mar. 2018 Kelly Thomas woke up in a Florida hospital four years ago with no recollection of the car accident that had robbed her of the ability to walk. — Carolyn Y. Johnson, The Seattle Times, "Paralyzed people are beginning to walk with a new kind of therapy," 24 Sep. 2018 Jon is kidnapped, only to mysteriously return four years later with no recollection of what has happened and with strange powers that threaten those around him. — Hannah Orenstein, Vox, "How do you choose an outfit for a fictional character? 5 authors explain.," 12 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recollection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.