recurrence
noun
re·cur·rence
ri-ˈkər-ən(t)s 
-ˈkə-rən(t)s
plural recurrences
: a new occurrence of something that happened or appeared before : a repeated occurrence
Scientists are working to lower the disease's rate of recurrence.
Long-term drug therapy is associated with frequent recurrences and adverse effects, however.—
Melvin M. Scheinman
Melvin M. ScheinmanThe hypoallergenic diet is restored until the itching and scratching again disappear, following which potential allergens from the original diet are restored sequentially, one by one, into the dog's meals and the owner looks for indications of the allergy's recurrence.—Tom Ewing
Tom EwingAs a familiar shape its exact meaning may have been lost to some of the craftsmen who used it; however, its recurrence on a whole group of gravestones in Davidson County, North Carolina, suggests an association there with hope, rebirth, and the cycle of life and death.—Jessie Poesch
Jessie PoeschThe shortage is a result of a decline in Treasury issuance as well as banks' strengthening their balance sheets in preparation for rules designed to prevent a recurrence of the 2008 financial crisis.—Peter Coy and Liz Capo McCormick
Peter Coy and Liz Capo McCormickExamples of recurrence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This new study, the first in early breast cancer, is expected to determine if the vaccine can induce a strong immune response that could prevent early breast cancer recurrence or progression to invasive breast cancer.
—Lauren Linder, CBS News, 24 June 2024
Swift brought out the Dixie Chicks for this soft acoustic ballad inspired by her mother’s cancer recurrence.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 May 2024
People who recover from an initial depression have a 40 to 60 percent chance of a later episode; those with two episodes have a 60 to 70 percent chance of recurrence, and those with three episodes have a 90 percent chance—a vicious cycle that too often ends in chronic illness or disability.
—Elizabeth Svoboda, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024
After about three years, those who had received the two treatments had a 49% lower risk of cancer recurrence or death, and a 62% lower risk of their cancer spreading, compared to people who got only pembrolizumab.
—Alice Park, TIME, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for recurrence 
Lauren Linder, CBS News, 24 June 2024
Swift brought out the Dixie Chicks for this soft acoustic ballad inspired by her mother’s cancer recurrence.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 May 2024
People who recover from an initial depression have a 40 to 60 percent chance of a later episode; those with two episodes have a 60 to 70 percent chance of recurrence, and those with three episodes have a 90 percent chance—a vicious cycle that too often ends in chronic illness or disability.
—Elizabeth Svoboda, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2024
After about three years, those who had received the two treatments had a 49% lower risk of cancer recurrence or death, and a 62% lower risk of their cancer spreading, compared to people who got only pembrolizumab.
—Alice Park, TIME, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for recurrence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recurrence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Recurrence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recurrence. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
recurrence
noun
re·cur·rence
ri-ˈkər-ən(t)s, -ˈkə-rən(t)s
1
: return of symptoms of a disease after a remission
2
: reappearance of a tumor after previous removal
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