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

But hey, don’t look at the stars… look at my damn recap! —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025

First a recap on why this is such a critical upgrade for your phone. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

Verb

When recapping the romantic getaway, Hudson — who began seeing Belicheck in early 2023 after his split from Linda Holliday, his girlfriend of 16 years — shared an Instagram carousel of images, including a bouquet of roses from her boyfriend and stroll through the city streets. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

To quickly recap: In the last three years, outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu have ravaged the US’s poultry flocks and dairy herds, killing many birds and forcing farmers to cull those that might have been exposed. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 12 Feb. 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