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
American Dental Association2
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
David Wessel3
: a departing procession (as of clergy and choir at the end of a church service)
re·ces·sion
(ˌ)rē-ˈse-shən
: the act of ceding back to a former possessor
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
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Indeed, after annual revisions, payroll growth averaged just 15,000 jobs per month in 2025, anemic by any historical standard outside a recession.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Still, Wednesday’s report also shows that not nearly as many jobs were added in 2025 as thought and last year will go down as the worst year for hiring since 2020, or since 2003 outside of a recession.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
The data can’t foresee recessions or pandemics—or the arrival of a technology that might do to the workforce what an asteroid did to the dinosaurs.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recession
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Noun
Last year, the economy posted its weakest year of job gains outside of a recession since 2003.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Indeed, after annual revisions, payroll growth averaged just 15,000 jobs per month in 2025, anemic by any historical standard outside a recession.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Still, Wednesday’s report also shows that not nearly as many jobs were added in 2025 as thought and last year will go down as the worst year for hiring since 2020, or since 2003 outside of a recession.
—Steve Kopack, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
The data can’t foresee recessions or pandemics—or the arrival of a technology that might do to the workforce what an asteroid did to the dinosaurs.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for recession
Cite this Entry
“Recession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recession. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
recession
noun
re·ces·sion
ri-ˈsesh-ən
: pathological withdrawal of tissue from its normal position
advanced gum recession
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