recidivism

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm 

: 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

Creating the Handgun Intervention Program, which diverts first-time juvenile gun offenders from incarceration, and the Restorative Justice Program to lower recidivism rates. —Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025

The recidivism rate for RTA alums is less than three percent. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025

This would be Bangladesh’s 16th IMF program — talk about recidivism. —Caleb Hofmann, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024

Wooten said that her work experience prepared her to tackle recidivism, addiction and mental health issues, as well as the prosecution of violent crimes. —Jimmy Jenkins, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

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

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Medical Definition

recidivism

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsid-ə-ˌviz-əm 

: a tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of behavior

high recidivism rates after cessation of smoking

—A. E. Kazdin et al.

Legal Definition

recidivism

noun

re·​cid·​i·​vism ri-ˈsi-də-ˌvi-zəm 

: relapse into criminal behavior