recap

1 of 4

noun (1)

re·​cap ˈrē-ˌkap 

: recapitulation

recap

2 of 4

verb (1)

re·​cap ˈrē-ˌkap 

ri-ˈkap

recapped; recapping

: recapitulate

recap

3 of 4

noun (2)

re·​cap ˈrē-ˌkap 

: retread sense 1

recap

4 of 4

verb (2)

re·​cap (ˌ)rē-ˈkap 

recapped; recapping

transitive verb

: retread

recappable

(ˌ)rē-ˈka-pə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• abstract
• breviary
• brief
• capsule
• conspectus
• digest
• encapsulation
• epitome
• inventory
• outline
• précis
• recapitulation
• résumé
• resume
• resumé
• roundup
• run-through
• rundown
• sum
• sum-up
• summa
• summarization
• summary
• summing-up
• synopsis
• wrap-up

Verb (1)

• abstract
• boil down
• brief
• digest
• encapsulate
• epitomize
• outline
• recapitulate
• reprise
• sum up
• summarize
• synopsize
• wrap up

Examples of recap in a Sentence

Noun (1)

after a recap of this morning's meeting, we can discuss the issues that were raised

Verb (1)

please recap the highlights of the game for me

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025

And then the touching recap of the past two and a half months — as Sugar Bear prepared Snowflake for this enormous, exciting, but extremely dangerous next chapter in the life of two of Tahoe’s amazingly wonderful bears. —Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Verb

Other sections recap his chapter as co-editor of comic magazines Arcade and Raw and revisit his most notable New Yorker covers. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025

Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are recapping their woodsy spring break. —Marina Watts, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

by shortening

Verb (2) and Noun (2)

re- + cap entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1926, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1945, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1941, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

recap

1 of 4 verb

re·​cap ˈrē-ˌkap 

ri-ˈkap

recapped; recapping

: recapitulate

now, to recap the news

recap

2 of 4 noun

re·​cap ˈrē-ˌkap 

: a brief summary : recapitulation

recap

3 of 4 verb

re·​cap (ˈ)rē-ˈkap 

recapped; recapping

: retread entry 1 sense 1

recap

4 of 4 noun

re·​cap ˈrē-ˌkap 

: retread entry 2 sense 2