1
: the action of receding : recession entry 1
2
: a hidden, secret, or secluded place or part
3
a
: indentation, cleft
a deep recess in the hill
b
: alcove
a recess lined with books
4
: a suspension of business or procedure often for rest or relaxation
children playing at recess
recessed; recessing; recesses
1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for a recess
: to take a recess
Synonyms
Examples of recess in a Sentence
Noun
The students play outside after lunch and at recess.
Do you have morning recess?
The Senate debates will continue after the August recess.
The Senate wanted to vote on the bill before recess.
Verb
The trial recessed for the holidays.
The judge decided to recess the trial for the holidays.
Recent Examples on the Web
Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2024
Similar tricks are used to open up more space throughout the home, such as a recess under the stairs that holds a washing machine, and storage cubbies built under the platform that slightly elevates the living room.
—Clint Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024
The amendments adjusted many internal regulations, including the amount of depth articulations — or the number of external walls stepped and recessed — and the proportion of land in mixed-use development allocated for residential and commercial buildings.
—Vivien Ayers, Austin American-Statesman, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for recess 
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.
Noun
Town council The Los Gatos Town Council will take a brief winter recess in December and January.
—Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2024
Similar tricks are used to open up more space throughout the home, such as a recess under the stairs that holds a washing machine, and storage cubbies built under the platform that slightly elevates the living room.
—Clint Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
Rethink Coalition proposes partially recessing the Inner Loop of I-65/I-70, which would open more land for development and green space.
—Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Oct. 2024
The amendments adjusted many internal regulations, including the amount of depth articulations — or the number of external walls stepped and recessed — and the proportion of land in mixed-use development allocated for residential and commercial buildings.
—Vivien Ayers, Austin American-Statesman, 30 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for recess
Dictionary Entries Near recess
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recess. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
recess
1 of 2 noun
re·cess
ˈrē-ˌses 
ri-ˈses
1
: a hidden or secret place
2
a
: a space or little hollow set back (as from the main line of a coast or mountain range)
b
3
: a brief period for relaxation between periods of work
recess
2 of 2 verb1
: to put into a recess
recessed lighting
2
: to make a recess in
3
: to interrupt for or take a recess
Legal Definition
recess
noun
re·cess
ˈrē-ˌses, ri-ˈses
: a temporary adjournment of a trial, hearing, or legislative session
recess
verb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share