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
Synonyms
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
Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
Plug in the base station and use the recess on the back and the Velcro strap to secure any excess cord, then wake up the vacuum by lining up the charging contacts on the bottom with the contacts on the base.
—PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024
James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2024
Gorder dislikes recessed overhead lighting, and especially LEDs.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for recess 
Noun
As your kids go back to school Sports, recess and hot bus rides all have their risks.
—Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 16 Aug. 2024
Plug in the base station and use the recess on the back and the Velcro strap to secure any excess cord, then wake up the vacuum by lining up the charging contacts on the bottom with the contacts on the base.
—PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024
Verb
The double front doors are wide, feature stained glass, and have deeply recessed decorative panels.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2024
Gorder dislikes recessed overhead lighting, and especially LEDs.
—Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for recess
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recess.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near recess
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recess. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
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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