Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

recession

1 American  
[ri-sesh-uhn] / rɪˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

  1. the act of receding recede or withdrawing.

  2. a receding recede part of a wall, building, etc.

  3. a withdrawing procession, as at the end of a religious service.

  4. Economics. a period of an economic contraction, sometimes limited in scope or duration.


recession 2 American  
[ree-sesh-uhn] / riˈsɛʃ ən /

noun

  1. a return of ownership to a former possessor.


recession 1 British  
/ riːˈsɛʃən /

noun

  1. the act of restoring possession to a former owner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

recession 2 British  
/ rɪˈsɛʃən /

noun

  1. a temporary depression in economic activity or prosperity

  2. the withdrawal of the clergy and choir in procession from the chancel at the conclusion of a church service

  3. the act of receding

  4. a part of a building, wall, etc, that recedes

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

recession Cultural  
  1. A general business slump, less severe than a depression.


Etymology

Origin of recession1

First recorded in 1640–50, recession is from the Latin word recessiōn- (stem of recessiō ). See recess, -ion

Origin of recession2

First recorded in 1885–90; re- + cession

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.

The one risk that could tip the U.S. into a recession: If the Federal Reserve targets inflation with higher rates in the face of a slowdown.

From Barron's

Now investors are just hoping to avoid a global recession triggered by a historic run-up in energy prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

When the Fed raised rates aggressively in 2022, nearly the entire economics profession predicted a recession.

From Barron's

Production has come back from past dips, whether caused by recessions, strikes or disruptive new technologies.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The fallout of this is that we could experience sharper price spikes, broader inflation pain, and deeper recession risks, especially in import-heavy Asia," she continued.

From BBC