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
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The book is endlessly recursive, as shapeless as water. Nadja Spiegelman, New York Times, 23 July 2025 These systems leverage recursive reinforcement learning, dynamically adjusting reward functions across simulations. Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025 In math a recursive function or method calls itself and is not just iterative and repetitive; the part requires the whole. Cindy Juyoung Ok june 26, Literary Hub, 26 June 2025 That's neat in a recursive technological horror kind of way. ArsTechnica, 13 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Recursive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recursive. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

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