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
Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
The Florida Republican received an endorsement Sunday from tech titan Elon Musk, immediately signed on to a request from President-elect Donald Trump to push appointments through while the chamber is in recess and is aggressively courting the diehard Trump wing of the GOP.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024
The House has recessed until after the November election, sparking ire from Republicans as the lower chamber has left behind a long to-do list involving spending bills, contempt resolutions, task forces, and censure initiatives.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for recess 
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Noun
These nominees must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, though the push is on to appoint them while the Senate is in recess.
—Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
The Florida Republican received an endorsement Sunday from tech titan Elon Musk, immediately signed on to a request from President-elect Donald Trump to push appointments through while the chamber is in recess and is aggressively courting the diehard Trump wing of the GOP.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
The eyepieces have large (21 mm) eye lenses and they're deeply recessed in the eye cups, which allows for nearly a full field of view even when wearing glasses.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024
The House has recessed until after the November election, sparking ire from Republicans as the lower chamber has left behind a long to-do list involving spending bills, contempt resolutions, task forces, and censure initiatives.
—Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Sep. 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 28 Nov. 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
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