1
: the action of receding : recession entry 1
2
: a hidden, secret, or secluded place or part
3
a
: indentation, cleft
a deep recess in the hill
b
: alcove
a recess lined with books
4
: a suspension of business or procedure often for rest or relaxation
children playing at recess
recessed; recessing; recesses
1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for a recess
: to take a recess
Examples of recess in a Sentence
Noun
The students play outside after lunch and at recess.
Do you have morning recess?
The Senate debates will continue after the August recess.
The Senate wanted to vote on the bill before recess.
Verb
The trial recessed for the holidays.
The judge decided to recess the trial for the holidays.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathryn Krupnik, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Johnson is publicly optimistic the budget will pass before lawmakers leave town Thursday for a two-week recess.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
PC Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
On This Day When Jan. 18, 2025 Where Via Tortona 27, Milan
A Real Treat After the couple recessed down the runway, assistants wheeled in a seven-tier wedding cake.
—Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
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Noun
Several House lawmakers posted about the incident, which occurred as members of Congress were leaving for a two-week recess after adopting a budget resolution that opens the door to implementing President Trump's agenda.
—Kathryn Krupnik, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
Johnson is publicly optimistic the budget will pass before lawmakers leave town Thursday for a two-week recess.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
The six-inch display is recessed into the bezels, which helps to reduce glare.
—PC Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
On This Day When Jan. 18, 2025 Where Via Tortona 27, Milan
A Real Treat After the couple recessed down the runway, assistants wheeled in a seven-tier wedding cake.
—Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recess. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recess
1 of 2 noun
re·cess
ˈrē-ˌses 
ri-ˈses
1
: a hidden or secret place
2
a
: a space or little hollow set back (as from the main line of a coast or mountain range)
b
3
: a brief period for relaxation between periods of work
recess
2 of 2 verb1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for or take a recess
Legal Definition
recess
noun
re·cess
ˈrē-ˌses, ri-ˈses
: a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session
recess
verb
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