recurrence

noun

re·​cur·​rence ri-ˈkər-ən(t)s 

-ˈkə-rən(t)s

plural recurrences

: a new occurrence of something that happened or appeared before : a repeated occurrence

Scientists are working to lower the disease's rate of recurrence.

Long-term drug therapy is associated with frequent recurrences and adverse effects, however.

—Melvin M. Scheinman

The hypoallergenic diet is restored until the itching and scratching again disappear, following which potential allergens from the original diet are restored sequentially, one by one, into the dog's meals and the owner looks for indications of the allergy's recurrence.

—Tom Ewing

As a familiar shape its exact meaning may have been lost to some of the craftsmen who used it; however, its recurrence on a whole group of gravestones in Davidson County, North Carolina, suggests an association there with hope, rebirth, and the cycle of life and death.

—Jessie Poesch

The shortage is a result of a decline in Treasury issuance as well as banks' strengthening their balance sheets in preparation for rules designed to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 financial crisis.

—Peter Coy and Liz Capo McCormick

Examples of recurrence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As a tribute to Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who died Monday at 65 after a recurrence of cancer, all of the Cubs players and coaches wore dark blue jerseys with No. 23 and no last names on the back Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025

The attestation is expected to be a one-time form, but may become an annual recurrence for these analysts, Bloomberg reported. —Nino Paoli, Fortune, 25 July 2025

And in the latest rough showing against the Blue Jays, Max Fried made one of the errors while also appearing to deal with a recurrence of his blister though on a different finger. —Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025

Ryne Sandberg, who served as one of the game's most productive second baseman for the Cubs from 1982 to 1997, provided an update after suffering a recurrence and spread of cancer in December. —Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recurrence

• concurrence
• deterrence
• incurrence
• occurrence
• transference
• coinsurance
• countertransference

Medical Definition

recurrence

noun

re·​cur·​rence ri-ˈkər-ən(t)s, -ˈkə-rən(t)s 

1

: return of symptoms of a disease after a remission

2

: reappearance of a tumor after previous removal