recidivism

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm How to pronounce recidivism (audio)
: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior
especially : relapse into criminal behavior

Did you know?

The re- in recidivism is the same re- in relapse and return, and like those words recidivism is about going back: it’s a tendency to relapse, especially into criminal behavior. Recidivism is a 19th century French borrowing that’s ultimately from a Latin word meaning “to relapse into sin or crime.” In borrowing recidivism, English was itself engaging in a kind of recidivism: the same Latin source of recidivism had been nabbed in the 16th century to form the much less common recidivate, meaning “to fall into or exhibit recidivism.”

Examples of recidivism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both report recidivism rates under 8%—dramatically lower than the national average of nearly 50%. Natalie Madeira Cofield, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 That incident strengthened his resolve to use his pizza shop as a tool to reduce recidivism rates, employing only formerly incarcerated people. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025 Instead of leveraging federal efforts to reduce recidivism, state agencies reinvent the wheel, adding unnecessary costs and delaying economic reintegration. Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Harry and Hyatt are both keen to learn whether the model can reduce recidivism. Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recidivism

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French récidivisme, from récidiver "to reappear (of a disease, tumor, etc.), do over, commit a second criminal offense" (going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin recidīvāre "to relapse into sin or crime") + -isme -ism — more at recidivate

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recidivism was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Recidivism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recidivism. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

recidivism

noun
re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsid-ə-ˌviz-əm How to pronounce recidivism (audio)
: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior
high recidivism rates after cessation of smokingA. E. Kazdin et al.

Legal Definition

recidivism

noun
re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm How to pronounce recidivism (audio)
: relapse into criminal behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on recidivism

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