plural recesses
1
US
: a short period of time during the school day when children can play
The students play outside after lunch and at/during recess.
Do you have morning recess?
called also (British) playtime
2
: a usually brief period of time during which regular activity in a court of law or in a government stops
The judge called for a recess [=break] for lunch.
The Senate debates will continue after the August recess.
The Senate wanted to vote on the bill before recess.
3
: a dark, hidden place or part
—usually plural —often + of
the dark recesses of the forest
He buried the memory in the deepest recesses of his mind.
4
: a part of a wall that is set back from the rest of the wall
recesses; recessed; recessing
US
: to stop regular activity in a court of law or in a government for a usually short period of time
The trial recessed for the holidays.
The judge decided to recess the trial for the holidays.
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/recess. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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