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
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
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 July 2026
Bring recess back as a mandatory part of the school schedule.
—
Taylor Carney,
AJC.com,
6 July 2026
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The chassis itself leans heavily toward function over luxury aesthetics, with thick ventilation channels, recessed handles, dense connector layouts, and a distinctly industrial feel throughout.
—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for recess
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Noun
Lawmakers in both chambers are scheduled to leave on a weekslong summer recess at the end of July.
—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
7 July 2026
Bring recess back as a mandatory part of the school schedule.
—
Taylor Carney,
AJC.com,
6 July 2026
Verb
House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly recessed the chamber on Tuesday, June 30.
—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The chassis itself leans heavily toward function over luxury aesthetics, with thick ventilation channels, recessed handles, dense connector layouts, and a distinctly industrial feel throughout.
—
Michael Lydick,
PC Magazine,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for recess
Cite this Entry
“Recess.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recess. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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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