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
New Atlas, 14 July 2025
Older children may be at risk for exertional heat stroke while increasing physical activity during recess or sports training.
—Dr. Katie Lockwood, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 June 2025
Punchbowl News says Republican leadership won’t recess for Memorial Day weekend until the House passes it.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recess
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Noun
Slide it back again and the clip can be pushed back down into its storage recess.
—New Atlas, 14 July 2025
Older children may be at risk for exertional heat stroke while increasing physical activity during recess or sports training.
—Dr. Katie Lockwood, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Verb
The eyepieces have large (21 mm) eye lenses and they're deeply recessed in the eye cups, which allows for nearly a full field of view even when wearing glasses.
—Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 June 2025
Punchbowl News says Republican leadership won’t recess for Memorial Day weekend until the House passes it.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 19 May 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 21 Jul. 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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