recession

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​ces·​sion ri-ˈse-shən 

plural recessions

1

: the act or action of receding : withdrawal

the recession of floodwaters

The exposed roots of teeth, commonly caused by gum recession, can be protected by using a composite resin in combination with an adhesive resin.

—American Dental Association

2

economics : a period of significantly reduced general economic activity that is marked especially by declines in employment and production and that lasts more than a few months

The country is in a recession.

a period of economic recession

The spurt of economic growth that usually follows recessions isn't in sight this time.

—David Wessel

compare depression sense 2a

3

: a departing procession (as of clergy and choir at the end of a church service)

recessionary

ri-ˈse-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

recession

2 of 2

noun (2)

re·​ces·​sion (ˌ)rē-ˈse-shən 

: the act of ceding back to a former possessor

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• depression
• slump

Examples of recession in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the country is just coming out of a recession, so expect to see fewer layoffs and more new jobs in the coming year

a retiring CEO making a gradual recession from the daily rigors of running a major corporation

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Biden administration appears to have pulled off the elusive economic soft landing, getting inflation in check without crashing the economy into a recession. —David Rae, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

The broader economy has shown remarkable resilience, defying expectations that the Federal Reserve's steep rate hikes would push the nation into a recession. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024

As a recession in 1990 and 1991 convinced investors to sell, Witkoff bought up offices downtown and rode the boom years of the 1990s into wealth. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 4 Dec. 2024

Trump's tariffs, if enacted, could tip the country into recession, economists said. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

re- + cession

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing recession

• anti-recession
• pre-recession

Kids Definition

recession

noun

re·​ces·​sion

ri-ˈsesh-ən

1

: the act or fact of receding or withdrawing

2

: a group of individuals departing in an orderly often ceremonial way

3

: a downward turn in business activity

also : the period of such a downward turn

Medical Definition

recession

noun

re·​ces·​sion ri-ˈsesh-ən 

: pathological withdrawal of tissue from its normal position

advanced gum recession