recursive

adjective

re·​cur·​sive ri-ˈkər-siv How to pronounce recursive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or involving recursion
a recursive function in a computer program
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a procedure that can repeat itself indefinitely
a recursive rule in a grammar
recursively adverb
recursiveness noun

Examples of recursive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The paper outlines potential routes like recursive self-improvement and large agent collectives. — Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 The problem with any and all GOAT discourse is the debate invariably becomes recursive and myopic. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 In recursive self-improvement, a system analyzes its previous version and upgrades its capabilities so the next version is better. — Arianna Huffington, Time, 29 June 2026 Taken far enough, and with enough compute, the blog post said such an approach could lead to recursive self-improvement—an AI system capable of autonomously designing, building, and improving its own successors. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for recursive

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "recurring repeatedly," from Latin recursus, past participle of recurrere "to run back, run in the opposite direction, return" + -ive; in given senses as translation of German rekurrent or rekursiv — more at recur

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recursive was in 1934

Rhymes for recursive

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Browse Nearby Words

recursion
recursive
recursive definition
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Cite this Entry

“Recursive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recursive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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