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
Lim Hui Jie,anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
But the thing that's going to be problematic, and this adds to the concerns about a recession here in the second half of the year going into next, is homebuilding.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
In particular, the inability of some governments to stimulate their economies without taking on more debt could lead to a deeper recession that might trigger a significant drop in asset values (bad for real estate loans and private credit).
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Bill Brown, who started the technical school with his father, Don, in 1984, tells prospective students that heating, ventilation and air conditioning repair is an industry that can weather downturns and recessions.
—Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recession
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Noun
Export-dependent economies like Japan, South Korea and Singapore all posted better-than-expected economic growth in the second quarter of the year, with Seoul and Singapore narrowly avoiding a technical recession.
—Lim Hui Jie,anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
But the thing that's going to be problematic, and this adds to the concerns about a recession here in the second half of the year going into next, is homebuilding.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
In particular, the inability of some governments to stimulate their economies without taking on more debt could lead to a deeper recession that might trigger a significant drop in asset values (bad for real estate loans and private credit).
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Bill Brown, who started the technical school with his father, Don, in 1984, tells prospective students that heating, ventilation and air conditioning repair is an industry that can weather downturns and recessions.
—Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recession
Cite this Entry
“Recession.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recession. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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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