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

The 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

As 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

The 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

Examples of recurrence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The power of one big night is highlighted by the recurrence of several characters in a series of mini-episodes that form delicate arcs. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2025

The recurrence of a menacing supernatural force that caused his brother to disappear in the '80s (hence the season subtitle, The Vanishing) pushes him far over the line. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 10 Jan. 2025

Trump, Johnson and other Republicans can reasonably argue that Democrats who run California’s state government should do everything possible to prevent a recurrence and must be open to policy changes based on this experience. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025

Without details about Kate's specific diagnosis, estimating her risk of recurrence is difficult. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recurrence

• concurrence
• deterrence
• incurrence
• occurrence
• transference
• coinsurance
• countertransference

Medical 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