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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 recession1

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.

For now Zillow is forecasting that the economy will avoid a recession and home prices will increase over the next year.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes unemployment rises because a recession is under way.

From The Wall Street Journal

Five years ago, “the world went into a recession and, as a result, bonds rallied because people were wagering on fiscal stimulus. Back then, there was a clear aim,” Tenengauzer said.

From MarketWatch

Five years ago, “the world went into a recession and, as a result, bonds rallied because people were wagering on fiscal stimulus. Back then, there was a clear aim,” Tenengauzer said.

From MarketWatch

If China gets stuck in a deep, persistent capex recession, that could force banks and others to scale back their own debts rather than invest.

From Barron's