recursive

adjective

re·​cur·​sive ri-ˈkər-siv How to pronounce recursive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or involving recursion
a recursive function in a computer program
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a procedure that can repeat itself indefinitely
a recursive rule in a grammar
recursively adverb
recursiveness noun

Examples of recursive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In math a recursive function or method calls itself and is not just iterative and repetitive; the part requires the whole. Cindy Juyoung Ok june 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025 That's neat in a recursive technological horror kind of way. ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025 This compresses multiple proofs into one through recursive zk-SNARKs, like stacking blocks into a single structure. Ayush Gupta, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 The bottom of the second presented a different, but equally recursive Red Sox problem. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for recursive

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "recurring repeatedly," from Latin recursus, past participle of recurrere "to run back, run in the opposite direction, return" + -ive; in given senses as translation of German rekurrent or rekursiv — more at recur

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recursive was in 1934

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Cite this Entry

“Recursive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recursive. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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