re·ces·sion
ri-ˈse-shən 
plural recessions
1
: the act or action of receding : withdrawal
the recession of floodwaters
The exposed roots of teeth, commonly caused by gum recession, can be protected by using a composite resin in combination with an adhesive resin.—
American Dental Association
American Dental Association2
economics
: a period of significantly reduced general economic activity that is marked especially by declines in employment and production and that lasts more than a few months
The country is in a recession.
a period of economic recession
The spurt of economic growth that usually follows recessions isn't in sight this time.—David Wessel
compare depression sense 2a
David Wessel3
: a departing procession (as of clergy and choir at the end of a church service)
re·ces·sion
(ˌ)rē-ˈse-shən
: the act of ceding back to a former possessor
Examples of recession in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the country is just coming out of a recession, so expect to see fewer layoffs and more new jobs in the coming year
a retiring CEO making a gradual recession from the daily rigors of running a major corporation
Recent Examples on the Web
Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Typically, this becomes more obvious when the economy slows or tips into recession, pushing up both delinquencies and defaults.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 May 2025
This week and month on Wall Street have been dominated by questions about what will happen with Trump’s tariffs, which investors worry could grind the economy into a recession, slash companies’ profits and layer even more challenges on households already sick of inflation.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
The $600 million budget for 2025-26 is expected to break even amid the possibility of an economic recession, without making deep cuts to public services or using reserves, unlike its neighbor, San Diego, which is considering doing so for the first time in at least a decade.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recession
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Noun
Notably, stocks hit their April low when betting odds of recession were at their highest.
—Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Typically, this becomes more obvious when the economy slows or tips into recession, pushing up both delinquencies and defaults.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 30 May 2025
This week and month on Wall Street have been dominated by questions about what will happen with Trump’s tariffs, which investors worry could grind the economy into a recession, slash companies’ profits and layer even more challenges on households already sick of inflation.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
The $600 million budget for 2025-26 is expected to break even amid the possibility of an economic recession, without making deep cuts to public services or using reserves, unlike its neighbor, San Diego, which is considering doing so for the first time in at least a decade.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for recession
Cite this Entry
“Recession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recession. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
recession
noun
re·ces·sion
ri-ˈsesh-ən
: pathological withdrawal of tissue from its normal position
advanced gum recession
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