recess
Americannoun
-
recesses
plural
-
temporary withdrawal or cessation from the usual work or activity.
-
a period of such withdrawal.
-
a receding part or space, as a bay or alcove in a room.
-
an indentation in a line or extent of coast, hills, forest, etc.
-
recesses, a secluded or inner area or part.
in the recesses of the palace.
verb (used with object)
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recesses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
recessed,
past participle, past
-
recessing
present participle
-
to place or set in a recess.
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to set or form as or like a recess; make a recess or recesses in.
to recess a wall.
-
to suspend or defer for a recess.
to recess the Senate.
verb (used without object)
-
recesses,
present (3rd person singular)
-
recessed,
past participle, past
-
recessing
present participle
noun
-
a space, such as a niche or alcove, set back or indented
-
(often plural) a secluded or secret place
recesses of the mind
-
a cessation of business, such as the closure of Parliament during a vacation
-
anatomy a small cavity or depression in a bodily organ, part, or structure
-
a break between classes at a school
verb
-
(tr) to place or set (something) in a recess
-
(tr) to build a recess or recesses in (a wall, building, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
recesssimple
-
recessessimple
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have recessedperfect
-
has recessedperfect
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am recessingprogressive
-
are recessingprogressive
-
is recessingprogressive
-
have been recessingperfect progressive
-
has been recessingperfect progressive
Past
-
recessedsimple
-
had recessedperfect
-
was recessingprogressive
-
were recessingprogressive
-
had been recessingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of recess
1510–20; < Latin recessus a withdrawal, receding part, equivalent to recēd ( ere ) to recede 1 + -tus suffix of v. action, with dt > ss
Explanation
Recess is a break from doing something, like work or school. Almost everyone looks forward to taking a recess — even if you don't have access to monkey bars. Recess comes from the Latin word recessus, meaning "a going back, retreat." You may have heard children talking about recess as their favorite part of school. This meaning of the word refers to the break in a school day for children to play, usually outside in a playground. As a verb, recess means to take a break at the end of a session — usually in a court proceeding: "The judge announced the court would recess until the following day."
Vocabulary lists containing recess
Vocabulary from The Articles of Confederation
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Frindle
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"Rules of the Game" (from The Joy Luck Club) by Amy Tan
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Legislature is in recess and the 120 members of the state Senate and Assembly are in their districts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
The Senate had left for August recess without a vote on the bill when the president called top crypto executives, including Armstrong, to a meeting at the White House that was streamed online.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026
A group of House Democrats calling for Congress to be given more time to debate the issue have also written a letter to Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who would ultimately decide on delaying the recess.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
The US Congress returned from recess Monday facing urgent warnings that artificial intelligence could spin dangerously out of control -- and little agreement over whether, or how, Washington should intervene.
From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026
The teacher had divided them all into groups with bird names, and every week a different group would get to “soar” down to lunch and recess first.
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
She burrowed deep in the recesses of the early Obama administration, welding together the voluminous Affordable Care Act.
From Slate ● Oct. 15, 2026
Two bookshelves added in recesses on either side of our bed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Herzog’s adventurous spirit has led him to explore the furthest reaches of the globe, but also inward to map the strangest recesses of the heart.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
What causes this correlation between congressional recesses and the stock market?
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026
It ducked quickly into the dark recesses of the room and disappeared.
From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older
Medics whisked him to safety, gave him a pain blocker, and placed him in a bed with a recessed, plush mat that molded to his body.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026
The remaining bedrooms boast recessed lighting, mirrored closets, and private outdoor spaces.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 9, 2026
About 8 p.m., the board recessed for the day and resumed deliberations at 12:30 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2026
The subtle highs and lows create ridges, which sear, and recessed pockets that promote airflow and deter sticking.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2025
At five o’clock the court recessed and a tray of food was placed before Bigger in a small room, with six policemen standing guard.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
The Court has about a dozen cases left on its docket to get through before recessing for the summer.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026
The House and the Senate are set to take their last votes today before recessing for the year.
From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2025
Mr. Schumer said the Senate was recessing to “give our Republican colleagues the night to figure themselves out.”
From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2024
After voting down a drug ordinance in June, and then pledging something to replace that defeated plan, the council is recessing for the rest of August on Friday.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2023
The smoke shelf comes immediately above the throat and is formed by recessing the brickwork of the back the full width of the chimney for at least four inches.
From If You're Going to Live in the Country by Frank Lieberman
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